Martin Cullen

I have a very strong disregard of Martin Cullen, at best he a classic example of an underachieving gombeen promoted above his station purely in his ability to garner votes in his own constituency.

He is a perfect example of what is wrong with this country where ability, competence and morals come way down the list in terms of boxes governments tick when they are looking for ministers.

In addition, his comments comparing his treatment to that of a rape victim were crass. I'm not sure if the speech was impromptu or rehearsed. If the latter, then clearly this ties in with my remarks above.

However, I do find myself in agreement that certain sections of the media, in particularly the 'Irish' Mail, were obsessed in their hounding of Cullen with regard to a perceived affair and favouritism shown to Monica Leech. His statement that his children were on the receiving end of bullying and had to move schools has a ring of truth to it.

Regardless of his ineptitude, nobody deserves to have their family subjected to that abuse if the source for which is media driven. He is relatively unique as a FF minister in being the subject of intense media intrusion, resulting in what appeared to be slander and lies. Cullen deserves our ridicule and bile based on his performance as a minister, but no more than that.