Martin CullenPosition: Minister for Social and Family Affairs
Age:52
Party:Fianna Fáil
Constituency:Waterford
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Political career:First elected to the Dáil as a PD deputy in 1987, he lost his seat in the 1989 election and spent some time in the Seanad before returning to the Dáil. He later joined Fianna Fáil.
He was minister of State for finance from 1997 to 2002 and was minister for the environment in the last government. In environment, he was embroiled in controversy because he doggedly stuck with the ill-fated electronic voting machines. However, he had success towards the end of his term with the reduction in road accidents.
Immediate challenges:Reforms of social welfare and benefits.