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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Cullen bows out
By Marion O’Mara
THIRTEEN years at the highest level in Irish politics finally ended for Waterford’s Martin Cullen at 7.30pm last night when he stepped down as a member of the Cabinet and announced his retirement from Dáil Eireann.
His desk has already been cleared and today the former Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism leaves the country for an initial six to eight weeks of intensive medical treatment for a chronic back ailment.
In his letter of resignation he asked the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, to “recommend its acceptance by the President on a date of your choosing in the context of other matters relating to the Government which are under consideration by you”.
Accepting the decision to step down Brian Cowen expressed his “deep appreciation” for the great personal efforts that Martin Cullen made to carry out, in full, his duties as Minister in the context of what had been a very painful situation.
He said he respected 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 his duties in the future.
The Taoiseach added that it was entirely in keeping with the seriousness with which Minister Cullen had 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 Eireann in 1987.
Continuing the Taoiseach paid tribute to the contribution which Martin Cullen made as a Minister in the Government, in charge of the Department 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”.
Concluding the Taoiseach expressed his best wishes to the Minister as he faced the challenges arising from his present medical condition.
Before he faced the national media outside Leinster House, last night, Martin Cullen told the Waterford News & Star that it was with a “very heavy heart” he was giving up political life.
“I am very upset — this is very traumatic and a big change in my life but hopefully down the road it will be proven to have been the best decision,” he said.
He felt he could not continue to draw down a TDs salary while out of work receiving medical treatment and it was for that reason he was resigning the seat he first won in 1987 and retained in the 2007 general election by topping the poll in the Waterford Constituency.
Since before Christmas he has been discussing his enforced retirement with his family and in particular with his brother who is a medical consultant. Recent scans have revealed a serious deterioration in his health since November and he is now in no doubt that the decision he had made is the right one.
He added, “I am going straight into hospital tomorrow to start major treatment on my back and we will see how the first six to eight weeks go.”
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