‘Time to let minister get on with job’

LOSING Martin Cullen, or any possible demotion of the Waterford-based Transport Minister, would have been a major blow to the entire south east.

With plans for a Waterford city bypass and a new motorway link with Dublin at a critical stage, as well as development at the city port and airport continuing, the Quigley report brought much relief locally yesterday.

Locals say it’s now time to draw a line under the matter and let Mr Cullen and his family, as well as Monica Leech and her family, get on with their work.

Mayor Séamus Ryan said it was a great relief. “It is a very welcome development for Waterford. The Taoiseach set up this review group and I believe it was the correct way to go. I would be anxious now that where recommendations were made, that they would be followed through.

“There are issues which we have to address here in the south east and I would be hopeful that the minister would do all in his power to ensure these matters are dealt with,” the Mayor added.

Airport chairman Nicky Fewer was also greatly relieved. “I never doubted the integrity of the minister. The past two months have been a major ordeal for him and his family. It is now time to move on.

“A number of national and Waterford issues have to be dealt with. We’ve a strong agenda for the south east and that is our challenge now. The past is now in the past and it’s time to get on with other matters,” the South East Regional Airport chairman added.

Port of Waterford chairman Ben Gavin was equally relieved.

“Obviously, this report is good news for Minister Cullen and his family, as well as Monica Leech and her family.

“A cloud has been hanging over Waterford since this matter began and now it has been taken away.

“Minister Cullen did nothing inappropriate. He is a very capable and able man and Cabinet minister.”