Career
He was elected to Seanad Éireann on the Labour Panel in April 2011, and to the Dáil as aTeachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for Waterford on his fourth attempt in the 2016 general election. Cullinane was born in Waterford city. He was elected to Waterford City Council at the 2004 local elections and retained his seat at the 2009 elections.
He unsuccessfully contested the Waterford constituency at the 2002, 2007 and 2011 general elections, before being elected in 2016.