Cullen - next ministry?

mad man

Dilbert75 wrote:

Well that won't include me. I've formed my own opinion from watching him and listening to him waffle on about everything and nothing, talking about what he plans to do and little about what he's actually completed. For example, as Ministers for Environment and Transport he has had years to do something about driving standards in this country and has actually achieved sod all. He can't even maintain eye-contact and just gives the vibe of being a weasel who can talk the talk.

Maybe you should stop swallowing everything the media tells you and actually try and see the wood from the trees rather than knocking one of your own.Cullen has bent over backwards for the city and deserves huge credit for it.

A few facts:

Road deaths have been at their lowest for four decades under Cullens watch as minister for the transport.

The budget for road safety for non-national roads increased to its highest ever under Cullens watch as minister for environment.

Policing the roads is the responsibility for the justice ministry.Nothing to do with Cullen.

Therefore it is fair to say that Cullen has done more to bring road deaths to the level of the late sixties when traffic volumes were only a fifth of what they are now and the population two thirds of what it is now.The Tranport projects have progressed much further and faster under Cullen than under the previous three transport ministers but we never hear about this.Good news is no news especially as far as Cullen is concerned.

Cullens "alleged" unpopularity should be taken with a pinch of salt.It is most likely more media claptrap.The Irish Indo had printed a story during the FF ard fheis that the Ard Fheis organisors failed to provide Cullen with a room in the City West hotel during the event and therefore implying a snub by FF to Cullen. The Indo last week printed an apology and retraction stating there was no truth to the story.

If there is unpopularity toward Cullen within FF then it is for one reason and one reason only.Someone is after his job.Us knocking the man is only doing the work of our opponents in the other regions.The best thing that has happened this City politically speaking since the foundation of the state is Cullen.The closest thing before this was Austin Deasy but his son John shows none of the same guile or affinity to Waterford.

randylonghorn

mad man wrote:

If there is unpopularity toward Cullen within FF then it is for one reason and one reason only.Someone is after his job.

Political infighting within parties is hardly anything new. They're always after one another's jobs on principle. Add to that a "blow-in" from the PDs and it would be amazing if there wasn't a certain amount of negative vibes heading his way.

As I said, I wouldn't be the guy's biggest fan, but I would take a lot of the flak for what it is.

jackofalltrades

What department will Cullen likely head up now?

Minister for Space hopefully, although I could see him making a mess of that.

Road deaths have been at their lowest for four decades under Cullens watch as minister for the transport.

I doubt that he had much to do with it.

Bards

jackofalltrades wrote:

Minister for Space hopefully, although I could see him making a mess of that.

I doubt that he had much to do with it.

This is the sort of useless comment we come to expect from Dublin commentators. Blame everything on Cullen on his watch but give no credit for good things that happen during the same watch. Double standards and hypocrisy come to mind

mad man

Bards wrote:

This is the sort of useless comment we come to expect from Dublin commentators. Blame everything on Cullen on his watch but give no credit for good things that happen during the same watch. Double standards and hypocrisy come to mind

Exactly Bards.If Cullen was from Cork or Dublin he would get the Kudos whether he deserved it or not.What Muppetts like this don't seem to realise is that E-Voting ,PPARS and the Health Servic mess were cause by Micheal Martin and Noel Depsey and both these ministers had over 10 years ministerial experience.Cullen was practically one day on the job when he got landed with E-voting.

Dilbert75

mad man wrote:

Maybe you should stop swallowing everything the media tells you and actually try and see the wood from the trees rather than knocking one of your own.

Don't really pay much heed to what the papers say, as a matter of fact.

Cullen has bent over backwards for the city and deserves huge credit for it.

Perhaps he has bent over backwards for the city but I don't live there, so its been of no benefit to me personally. As I see it, a minister should be more focussed on the whole country than just his constituency. And, as it happens, ministers "bending over backwards" for their own is often what leads to large industry locating there. Which leads to the incredible traffic problems which have bedevilled Waterford (and many other towns) for years. If large industry had been spread around a bit - there are plenty of towns and areas around Waterford which could host large employers while still benefitting Waterford people - life would be much more pleasant for the inhabitants of the place.

A few facts:

Road deaths have been at their lowest for four decades under Cullens watch as minister for the transport.

The budget for road safety for non-national roads increased to its highest ever under Cullens watch as minister for environment.

Policing the roads is the responsibility for the justice ministry.Nothing to do with Cullen.

Therefore it is fair to say that Cullen has done more to bring road deaths to the level of the late sixties when traffic volumes were only a fifth of what they are now and the population two thirds of what it is now.The Tranport projects have progressed much further and faster under Cullen than under the previous three transport ministers but we never hear about this.Good news is no news especially as far as Cullen is concerned.

How about this? Since he started, he's been rattling on about Driver Training. What's he done? Nothing. Driver instructor registers? Nothing (though the RSA seem to be making moves towards an approval scheme for instructors). Just two examples of this empty vessel making lots of noise.

And whatever anyone says, I can't see his face or hear his voice without first thinking that he's spouting sh1te. He must be the least sincere person in Irish public life. Don't trust him, never will trust him. Hope he doesn't get a ministry - nothing against Waterford, you understand.

Aquos76

Perhaps he has bent over backwards for the city but I don't live there, so its been of no benefit to me personally. As I see it, a minister should be more focussed on the whole country than just his constituency.

He is not alone here, Cork have done very well on the jobs front over the last few years. I wonder where Micheál Martin is from:rolleyes:

Which leads to the incredible traffic problems which have bedevilled Waterford (and many other towns) for years. If large industry had been spread around a bit - there are plenty of towns and areas around Waterford which could host large employers while still benefitting Waterford people - life would be much more pleasant for the inhabitants of the place.

Waterford, have not gained any signifitiant jobs in any area since Martin Cullen became minister for transport. I cant see how you argument this one. If anything, we have lost jobs.

And whatever anyone says, I can't see his face or hear his voice without first thinking that he's spouting sh1te. He must be the least sincere person in Irish public life. Don't trust him, never will trust him. Hope he doesn't get a ministry - nothing against Waterford, you understand.

Well, if you were from Waterford, your opinion would be different. I think he will get another position and I also think it will be deserved.

Bards

Dilbert75 wrote:

. And, as it happens, ministers "bending over backwards" for their own is often what leads to large industry locating there. Which leads to the incredible traffic problems which have bedevilled Waterford (and many other towns) for years. If large industry had been spread around a bit - there are plenty of towns and areas around Waterford which could host large employers while still benefitting Waterford people - life would be much more pleasant for the inhabitants of the place..

I see you are one of those who subscribes to the "build industry in every town in Ireland " while creating no critical mass to attract other services such as University, Improved medical services etc.

Waterford has almost 50,000 people livining in the City, are you proposing that most of these drive to other centres for work thus creating far more traffic problems than having Waterford as the centre of employment in the region?

Who set up the RSA... ermm Cullen

He is one of a few ministers actually doing something rather than issuing reports and getting expert review groups to write yet another report before a minister will act aka Michael Martin & Co.

I would much rather a minister doing things and getting shot down in the media for trying than a minister doing nothing except waiting to be moved to another department.

merlante

It would be great if ministers legislated for the country and were not expected to artificially pump investment into their own constituencies as they currently are.

BUT, that's not the way it is, that's not the way it was, and that is not the way the system is set up, and it will continue not to be this way until coherent government strategies exist for the allocation of investment (i.e. a spatial strategy, decentralisation plan, health infrastructure provision, etc.) that are sensible, fair and which are actually followed up on and not changed by incoming ministers on a whim. At the moment, however, there are no votes in 'making things fair' and the government never wants to do or say anything that might be binding.

Prior to 2002, Waterford had been starved of any kind of investment whatsoever for generations. The city was stagnating in the midst of a boom. Waterford people did not vote strategically as other constituencies did. The changes that have occurred over the last 5 years have shown how important a minister has been to Waterford. Waterford is now well on its way to being able to compete on a level playing field with its peer cities, such as Limerick and Galway.

I detest this sort of corruption, but outside of Dublin and Cork and a few other select places, there is not enough Dail, and hence ministerial, representation to stabilise inward investment in those areas. The rest of the country have to endure feasts and famines of investment and spend more time looking for the next minister than thinking about the grand moral issues of the day.

Roanmore

Merlante, I always like your posts but as an outsider can you please explain your following statement (not arguing against it but can't see exactly what you are saying).

merlante wrote:

Prior to 2002, Waterford had been starved of any kind of investment whatsoever for generations. The city was stagnating in the midst of a boom. Waterford people did not vote strategically as other constituencies did. The changes that have occurred over the last 5 years have shown how important a minister has been to Waterford. Waterford is now well on its way to being able to compete on a level playing field with its peer cities, such as Limerick and Galway.

The question I have is about voting stragetically, are you saying that prior to 2002 Waterford did not vote strategically. The reason I ask is that looking at election results going back to 1989 when it is generally believed the Celtic Tiger began Waterford returned 2 Fianna Fail TD's and there was an FF / PD government, this would suggest strategic voting. In the next election in 1992 Waterford returned one FF, one FG, one Lab and one PD. They probably covered all bases but by the time that government(s) went to the polls all TD's had represented the government.
Ever since Waterford has returned 2 FF TD's and FF have been in government, surely that is voting strategically.

Dilbert75

So ok then - list what Cullen's actually done? He turns up at a lot of openings of roads (which were underway long before he got near them) but what else?

I see you are one of those who subscribes to the "build industry in every town in Ireland " while creating no critical mass to attract other services such as University, Improved medical services etc.

Until you have the infrastructure to support the location of thousands of jobs in a small area, like the Cork Road Ind Est, its better to spread the jobs around. You only end up with thousands of people cramming in and out several times a day, many of them from outside the town. So the roads to and from get choked.

So what's the problem with spreading them out? There's no critical mass for University, improved medical services, etc? There is no University. What about the public outcry that resulted from the decision not to offer cancer services in the South East? What difference did the critical mass of jobs make? What difference did Martin Cullen make?

Trotter

Dilbert75 wrote:

So ok then - list what Cullen's actually done? He turns up at a lot of openings of roads (which were underway long before he got near them) but what else?

Good.. so you agree that because the e-voting was well along before he arrived in Environment, he had nothing to do with that either so?

Bards

Dilbert75 wrote:

So ok then - list what Cullen's actually done? He turns up at a lot of openings of roads (which were underway long before he got near them) but what else?


Until you have the infrastructure to support the location of thousands of jobs in a small area, like the Cork Road Ind Est, its better to spread the jobs around. You only end up with thousands of people cramming in and out several times a day, many of them from outside the town. So the roads to and from get choked.

So what's the problem with spreading them out? There's no critical mass for University, improved medical services, etc? There is no University. What about the public outcry that resulted from the decision not to offer cancer services in the South East? What difference did the critical mass of jobs make? What difference did Martin Cullen make?

Environment.
==========
Race against waste... Huge success, got Ireland recycling at last, now one or the best in Europe

Main Drainage Schemes around the country

Provided funds for the Outer Ring Road

Provided funds for the Tramore RIng Road

increased the amount of funding for Waterford City & County for improved non national roads.



Transport
========
Made sure the M9 was put back on the agenda after the PD'S had tried to stop it and reprioritised the Knocktoper to Wateford section so that it started this year as opposed to next year.

formed the RSA.. road deaths are at their lowest in years

Privatised Aer Lingus. Many commentators said it couldn't be done and it was a poisioned chalace.

Waterford Airport and road has got funding

these are just of the top of my head If I did more research I could find a lot more that he has done both nationally and locally


again if the jobs are spread around, what makes you think that specialised people are spread around too to work in thos offices/factories.


The majority of skilled people will reside in the largest urban centre, so it makes sense to centralise these jobs where the largest population lives to avoid unneccessary commutes.

merlante

Roanmore wrote:

Merlante, I always like your posts but as an outsider can you please explain your following statement (not arguing against it but can't see exactly what you are saying).

The question I have is about voting stragetically, are you saying that prior to 2002 Waterford did not vote strategically. The reason I ask is that looking at election results going back to 1989 when it is generally believed the Celtic Tiger began Waterford returned 2 Fianna Fail TD's and there was an FF / PD government, this would suggest strategic voting. In the next election in 1992 Waterford returned one FF, one FG, one Lab and one PD. They probably covered all bases but by the time that government(s) went to the polls all TD's had represented the government.
Ever since Waterford has returned 2 FF TD's and FF have been in government, surely that is voting strategically.

Fair points. I suppose I mean particularly pre-87 when we elected a PD, and I suppose I also mean that although we might have voted strategically partywise, although more likely it was mostly incidental civil war voting, on the grass roots level we kept bad politicians going for too long. Look at Kenneally, he is rubbish, he was always rubbish and we only voted him in this time because Wilkinson is worse. It's a terrible indictment that we have to choose between 2 such poor candidates, and that a) we can't break from civil war voting and b) that within that, we can't introduce sufficient new blood and competition into the ranks of FF (in any case).

Roanmore

merlante wrote:

It's a terrible indictment that we have to choose between 2 such poor candidates, b) that within that, we can't introduce sufficient new blood and competition into the ranks of FF (in any case).

That's the crux of the matter, will we be here again in 5 years time asking the same question. I can name a councillor from every party and a number of independents except FF, have they anybody coming through. I Cullen had stayed a PD they'd be in even worse shape.

Dilbert75

Bards wrote:

Environment.
==========
Race against waste... Huge success, got Ireland recycling at last, now one or the best in Europe

Main Drainage Schemes around the country

Provided funds for the Outer Ring Road

Provided funds for the Tramore RIng Road

increased the amount of funding for Waterford City & County for improved non national roads.



Transport
========
Made sure the M9 was put back on the agenda after the PD'S had tried to stop it and reprioritised the Knocktoper to Wateford section so that it started this year as opposed to next year.

formed the RSA.. road deaths are at their lowest in years

Privatised Aer Lingus. Many commentators said it couldn't be done and it was a poisioned chalace.

Waterford Airport and road has got funding

these are just of the top of my head If I did more research I could find a lot more that he has done both nationally and locally


again if the jobs are spread around, what makes you think that specialised people are spread around too to work in thos offices/factories.


The majority of skilled people will reside in the largest urban centre, so it makes sense to centralise these jobs where the largest population lives to avoid unneccessary commutes.

Ireland were years behind the rest of the EU in adopting recycling and its a tribute to the Irish that they've taken it up so well. Its certainly not due to Government, either local or national, as evidenced by the persisting dearth of recycling centres open around the country. (And the way in which local government is prosecuting people for leaving their recycling at bring banks which are already full. In other words they fail to put in place the adequate service and then prosecute people for trying to use them).

And see here for Mr Cullen's legacy to the country's motorists. The Government have refused to provide statistics for years - now it appears that the number of people on their 6th or subsequent provisional license has increased from 88 to over 15,000 in 3 years - over 100,000 are on their 3rd or subsequent license. Maith an fear.

Bards

Dilbert75 wrote:

Ireland were years behind the rest of the EU in adopting recycling and its a tribute to the Irish that they've taken it up so well. Its certainly not due to Government, either local or national, as evidenced by the persisting dearth of recycling centres open around the country. (And the way in which local government is prosecuting people for leaving their recycling at bring banks which are already full. In other words they fail to put in place the adequate service and then prosecute people for trying to use them).

And see here for Mr Cullen's legacy to the country's motorists. The Government have refused to provide statistics for years - now it appears that the number of people on their 6th or subsequent provisional license has increased from 88 to over 15,000 in 3 years - over 100,000 are on their 3rd or subsequent license. Maith an fear.

I seem to remember when CUllen wanted more testers that a certain union blocked the outsourcing of those tests unless some of the under utilised staff from the Dept. of Agriculture were trained as testers.

these people are now trained and some tests have been given to private testers ala NCT (almost three years later thanks to the union in question).

can you imagine the state of the driver testing if Cullen did not instigate these changes in work practices, and instead got a "Review Group" to issue a report on the feasibility of outsourcing like some other ministers would have done if in the same position.

Cullen is now out of Environment for nearly three years. when in there he made sure Bring Centres were being rolled out nationwide. Waterford CIty Council was one of the first CIty COuncils to issue a three bin system (this would not have happened with government action) The present incumbant is the person now responsible for bring centres being run down.