Current sitting Green Party Councillor, and Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford City and County, Jody Power, has spoken out against his party.
As of 3:00 P: M today, Cllr. Power is contesting a seat in Waterford City East, where there are marginal votes between himself, Social Democrats Cllr. Mary Roche and Independent candidate Darren Ryan.
When asked by WLR's Damien Tiernan why the green vote has collapsed in the Waterford local elections, Green Party Councillor Jody Power blamed party leader Eamon Ryan's handling of Waterford Airport and the green vote in Waterford.
"The biggest issue on the doorsteps was the Waterford airport. That was by far the biggest topic on the door. The big thing that poisoned or spoiled the air for the Greens in Waterford City East is the Airport."
Damien Tiernan asked Cllr. Power, "was it the fact that Eamonn Ryan, as Minister for Transport, still hasn't made a decision (on Waterford Airport)? Cllr. Power responded," Oh obviously, obviously. Yeah, yeah, because if that decision had been a positive one, I'd say in the last month or the last two months or whatever, we'd be riding the crest of a wave in Waterford as far as the Waterford Greens are concerned. The minister coming out and having a different idea in his head than what the board was trying to push."
(Damien Tiernan) "Are you blaming the minister?" Cllr. Power," Of course, of course. We should have been in more communication with him, right, to find out what he's thinking of."
(Damien Tiernan) "Surely the minister is responsible and he's an intelligent man, he should know. Ultimately, what I'm getting from you, Jodie Power, by Eamonn Ryan not handling this properly has cost you your seat?".
Cllr Power responded, "Might cost me my seat and I would say yes and probably didn't do the other candidates, the Green candidates in the region as well, any favours either, that's for sure. It looks like it's going to be just a Dublin-centric party from going forward if things go any worse."
**Audio from the interview is below**
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
