1. Martin Cullen was born on 2 November 1954 and is an Irish former Fianna Fail politician who served as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism from 2008 to 2010, Minister for Social and Family Affairs from 2007 to 2008, Minister for Transport from 2004 to 2007, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2002 to 2004 and Minister of State at the Department of Finance from 1997 to 2002.
Martin Cullen served as a Teachta Dala for the Waterford constituency from 1987 to 1989 and from 1992 to 2010.
Martin Cullen was a Senator from 1989 to 1992, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.
Martin Cullen was educated at Waterpark College and the Regional Technical College, Waterford.
Martin Cullen was Chief Executive of the Irish Transport Operators.
Martin Cullen was one of 14 Progressive Democrats TDs elected to Dail Eireann at the 1987 general election, the first election after the party was founded.
Martin Cullen lost his seat at the 1989 general election but was nominated by the Taoiseach to Seanad Eireann.
Martin Cullen became disillusioned with the party, and joined Fianna Fail in September 1994.
Martin Cullen was given responsibility for the Office of Public Works where he made huge progress in restoring the reputation of that department with number of high-profile projects, such as Leinster House 2000 and the purchase of the Farmleigh estate from Edward Guinness.
Martin Cullen took a strong interest in Environmental Policies and introduced the highly successful "Race Against Waste Campaign" which had a huge impact on how domestic waste was separated and collected.
In May 2005, Minister Martin Cullen told Dail Eireann that "in the context of any decision to reduce State ownership in Aer Lingus, all the options available within the regulatory framework will be examined to ensure adequate ongoing access to Heathrow for Irish consumers".
Martin Cullen maintained throughout that the sale of Aer Lingus was "the right decision".
Local representatives in the Shannon area have claimed that Minister Martin Cullen ignored calls to ring-fence slots for Shannon airport.
On 7 May 2008, when Brian Cowen became Taoiseach, Martin Cullen was appointed as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
Martin Cullen dismissed criticism of his use of the Air Corps helicopter, and said there had been no unnecessary spending on his travel.
Martin Cullen described how he had been pursued by the media, with reporters harassing him, photographers following him, even once a photograph of him, the Taoiseach and his secretary, and a third man at a state function was altered to make it appear he was dining alone with the woman.
Martin Cullen announced his resignation from his ministerial office and as a TD on 8 March 2010, due to a back ailment that had been troubling him severely in the preceding months.
Martin Cullen stepped down from cabinet on 23 March 2010 when Brian Cowen announced a cabinet reshuffle and resigned as a TD the following day.