BREAKING: Fianna Fáil Tipperary stalwart resigns to support Independent candidate

Paddy Ryan, Honorary President of the Tipperary North-Kilkenny Northwest Comhairle Dáil Cheantar, has announced his resignation from the party after 60 years.

Ryan announced his resignation in a statement issued on Wednesday, coming following disagreements with Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien and the current housing situation across the country.

In his statement, Ryan said: "Fianna Fáil, as a core philosophy, was the party that always provided decent homes for the poorest of the Irish people. Now and unfortunately under the present Fianna Fáil minister this is not happening.

"In its present format for the Shared-Equity Scheme to provide the required amount of houses for a solution to the affordable housing crisis would require an investment per year of over €2 billion, which is not financially affordable," he said.

Ryan announced in light of his resignation from Fianna Fáil, that he would be backing Independent candidate Councillor Jim Ryan in the upcoming election.

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He said: "There is a proposed Government-backed scheme based on a common-sense approach that requires no initial capital investment by the State, which will again make it possible for the people of Ireland to achieve their aspiration of owning their own home. It will offer support to the mortgage holder if they encounter financial difficulties enabling them to remain in their home.

"This scheme is being put forward in my own constituency of Tipperary North-Kilkenny Northwest by Independent candidate Councillor Jim Ryan for the consideration of the people, and in over 20 more constituents by Independent Ireland party. I will be giving my full support to Councillor Jim Ryan and in other constituencies all the help I can provide to Independent Ireland Party," he added.

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Speaking with Tipperary Live, Cllr Jim Ryan said: "I want to welcome Paddy Ryan to my team, a really experienced political figure, a well-known political figure within Tipperary. He's someone that I really respect, I really look up to, and his housing proposals make common sense and are achievable, and should be a firm part of the next Government housing policy.

"I'm delighted to back it, delighted to have it on my policy for my manifesto for the General Election coming up.

"Delighted that Paddy is joining me. Really, really important person to have the backing of. His housing policy, I 100% back, support, and will lobby the next Government, if I get elected as a TD for North Tipperary-Northwest Kilkenny," he added.