Most of the Green Party’s elected representatives are meat-eaters, a Sunday Times survey indicates, and disagree on how important vegetarianism is in combating climate change.

Eliminating meat and dairy from diets is often cited as the biggest personal contribution people can make. However, within the Greens, opinions range from agreement with this position to a belief that veganism is “a fad”.

Twenty-two Green Party politicians responded to a Sunday Times survey, with 14 identifying themselves as omnivores, meaning they eat some meat. Another six were vegetarians, while one, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillor Eva Elizabeth Dowling, was vegan. Sophie Nicoullaud, a Dublin city councillor, declined to give her eating preferences.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan admits that he is still an omnivore BRIAN LAWLESS

Eamon Ryan, a TD and leader of the Green Party, is an omnivore but says he has