Statements on the Resignation of Martin Cullen

Government statement on behalf of Taoiseach Brian Cowen  

The Taoiseach was today advised by Martin Cullen T.D., the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism of his intention to resign from membership of the Government, and from public life, in the context of the serious back condition from which he has been suffering for some time.  It is the Taoiseach’s intention, at the request of Minister Cullen, to advise the President to accept his resignation on a date on which other matters relating to the Government, which the Taoiseach is currently considering, will also be the subject of decision.

The Taoiseach has expressed his deep appreciation for the great personal efforts that Martin Cullen has made to carry out in full his duties as Minister in the context of what has been a very painful condition.   He respects the Minister’s intention to retire also from his role as a public representative in the light of his assessment that he would not be in a position to discharge these duties in the future.   The Taoiseach said that this is entirely in keeping with the seriousness with which Minister Cullen has approached his duties as a public representative, for which he won the support of the people of Waterford City and County since he entered Dáil Éireann in 1987.

The Taoiseach paid tribute to the contribution which Martin Cullen has made as a Minister in the Government, in charge of the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Transport;  and Social and Family Affairs, as well as Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and not least in his current post in the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, where the commitment and flair which he has brought to the discharge of his duties have been widely appreciated. The Taoiseach expressed his best wishes to the Minister as he faces the challenges arising from his present medical condition.

Statement by Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore 

"I want to express my regret that illness has forced Martin Cullen to retire from public life. While his resignation as a Minister had been widely expected his decision to resign as a TD is a shock and will further erode the stability and life expectancy of the government.

"While we differed on many political issues and had some lively exchanges across the floor of the Dail I always respected him as a politician and as an individual. Martin Cullen gave over 20 years of political service to the people of Waterford and nobody could doubt his commitment to the people who elected him.

"Deputy Cullen's resignation is, however, another serious blow to this government. This is the second experienced minister that the Taoiseach has lost within a matter of a few weeks. There will now also be three vacancies in the Dail and the government has two fewer seats than at this time last year.

"There are clearly currently deep divisions between the two parties in government and internal problems within the Green Party over proposed changes at cabinet level that have to raise further serious questions about the stability of the coalition and its ability to deal with the huge economic and social problems we face.

"Tomorrow marks this government's 1,000th day in office. In that period they have led the country into the deepest recession in our history, added around 270,000 people to the live register and placed a financial millstone around the necks of generations of taxpayers through their efforts to bail out the bankers and the developers.

"This is a government that is out of time and out of ideas. The sooner it is put out of office the sooner the process of national recovery can begin."

Statement by Fine Gail TD Olivia Mitchell 

Fine Gael Arts, Sports & Tourism Spokesperson, Olivia Mitchell TD, has extended her best wishes to Minister Martin Cullen on news of his resignation due to ill health. 

“This is be a difficult time for Minister Cullen who must feel disappointed at having the misfortune to leave Cabinet due to a medical matter. It is always personally disheartening when health issues force retirement and I hope that the release from Ministerial duties will aid his recovery. 

“I wish him and his family the very best for the future.”