Martin Cullen resignation:THE MINISTER for Arts Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen, made it known to the Taoiseach in January that he would not be in a position to continue as a Minister but agreed to delay the decision.
“I had a long discussion with the Taoiseach in January,” he told reporters last night. “He was extremely busy with Hillsborough . . . It was my decision and I informed him at that point.”
He said that he met the Taoiseach yesterday afternoon and had a long and friendly discussion. “There’s an innate decency about Mr Cowen. It was very much sitting at the fireside in the Taoiseach’s office,” he said.
Mr Cullen quoted a famous phrase of US president Woodrow Wilson and indeed of president Richard Nixon, when announcing his resignation from public life on the plinth of Leinster House shortly after 7.30pm yesterday evening. “He said that it’s only when you are in the deepest valley that you appreciate what it’s like to stand on the highest mountain.”
Mr Cullen was talking of his 23-year political career, and making a clear reference to controversies including the e-voting project. “We all do things in politics. Sometimes we make a mistake. I’d rather make a mistake and have done a few things than not to have done anything at all and made no mistakes.
“History will judge those things. I have always tried to do my job. I have enjoyed it. There have been ups and downs and they have been enormous.
“One thing I can say to people in the media is that you gave me the opportunity to experience emotions in my life that most people would never get a chance to experience, from great highs to great despairs to great lows,” he said.
“I had an extremely bad car crash many years ago where I broke my neck. I was in hospital for a long time. I consider myself very lucky that I recovered from that and got so many years without the trouble I have faced today. I have chronic back problems and they are getting worse and worse. In 2007, I was given advice at that time it was time to quit. But we all believe that we are invincible and we can keep going forever,” he said.
He said that staying on was not an option and that his medical advice was clear. “[Staying on] would have put me in a position of not being around at all and not being able to be around and not discharge my duties as a TD either nationally or in Waterford.
“I am not the sort of person to do that. You have to have the courage to make up your mind when the facts are there. I believe it’s the right decision for myself to deal with my health,” he said.
Mr Cullen agreed that he had survived several reshuffles despite predictions he would be fired. He said that his resignation was completely unconnected with the ministerial changes later this month.
Describing the pain that has made it impossible for him to continue, Mr Cullen said he has been on a lot of medication.
“That is debilitating in itself. I don’t think you can live on the volume of tablets I have been on, especially the very strong painkillers,” he said.