Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2008

Vol. 662 No. 4

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy.

The Taoiseach

Ar mo shon féin agus ar shon an Rialtais agus Páirtí Fhianna Fáil, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a chur in iúl do chlann Shéamuis Ó Braonáin. Chaith Séamus blianta fada ag freastal ar an Teach seo. Bhí sé ina chara, chomrádaí agus chomhpháirtí againn ar fad, is cuma cén taobh den urlár a bhí éinne. Bhí ardmheas air mar pholaiteoir a bhí dílis dá pháirtí, dá thír agus dá chlann. Ba mhór an bhris d'Fhianna Fáil bás Shéamuis, rud a chur isteach ar dhaoine ag gach leibhéal den eagraíocht, bíodh sin in a nDáilcheantar i mBaile Átha Cliath Theas nó ina chathair dúchais, Gaillimh, nó ar fud na tíre.

Is cinnte gur bris ollmhór é a bhás dá chlann. Bhí Séamus an-dílis ar fad dóibh. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil siad anseo sa Teach linn inniu. Cuirim mo chomhbhrón agus mo chuid tacaíochta in iúl dá chéile Ann, dá chlann Shay, Daire, Aoife, Breffní, Síne agus Éanna, dá chlann clainne, Calum agus TJ, dá dheartháireacha, Joe, Éamon agus Terry agus dá dheirfiúr Carmel, chomh maith lena mhuintir agus a cháirde ar fad.

Today we pay tribute to Séamus Brennan, an exceptional figure in Irish public life. Across four decades he was at the cutting edge of politics on this island. His achievements were many and were of enormous consequence. A man of quiet influence, exuding calm and restless energy, he was driven by a deep desire to serve our country. He helped shape a more modern, confident and ambitious Ireland. In the three months since Séamus Brennan left us, many sincere and well deserved tributes have been paid to him. I am pleased his family can be with us today to hear the high regard in which he was held by this House.

Séamus graced these corridors for many years and had friends and admirers on all sides of the political spectrum. Every one of us in politics can take inspiration from his proud career of public service and his immense contribution to our nation's welfare. His untimely passing, at the age of 60, has been deeply felt across the country. Séamus Brennan was a servant of the people. He will long be remembered in this House and beyond as a brilliant political strategist, a dedicated constituency Deputy, a reforming Minister and a very popular colleague. He is greatly missed by us all.

As leader of Fianna Fáil, the party Séamus loved and served so loyally, I know how deeply felt his passing has been among all sections of our organisation, our parliamentary party, our national executive, in every cumann and in his constituency. Séamus Brennan was the quintessential Fianna Fáil organisation person and, dating to his tenure as party general secretary, had a great network of connections within the organisation across the length and breadth of the country. Throughout his long career, he built up a great knowledge of our party and the personalities that shape it locally and nationally. He had an enduring respect for the ordinary members of Fianna Fáil for the time and dedication they unselfishly give to politics. That respect was deeply reciprocated. Mixed with the sadness that permeated through the ranks of our party on Séamus's passing, is a real sense of respect and gratitude to a man who did so much to advance the cause of Ireland and her people.

Séamus Brennan's politics were nurtured at a young age and he had deep roots in our party organisation. His father had been a prominent Fianna Fáil activist and director of elections in Galway. Séamus became active in Fianna Fáil as a student and first came to national prominence when he was appointed general secretary of the party in the mid-1970s. He was the youngest person to hold that office and it was Jack Lynch who made the inspired decision to appoint him.

Last week I spoke in University College Cork at a conference which examined the legacy and achievements of Jack Lynch. Séamus Brennan is, of course, indelibly linked to Jack Lynch's greatest electoral triumph. He deployed the full reservoir of his talents, his great enthusiasm, unrivalled organisational skills and keen political acumen in his role as general secretary. For Séamus, the practice of electoral politics was a talent he was born with and when he was given the great responsibility at a young age to plan our party's next phase of development, that talent was put to its fullest use. He introduced to the election machine modern methods of campaigning, policy formulation and electioneering and played a hugely significant part in our winning the biggest majority in the history of the State at the general election in 1977.

It was Jack Lynch also who appointed Séamus Brennan to Seanad Éireann in 1977 and set in train a distinguished career in representative politics of which our country has been a major beneficiary. In 1981 Séamus successfully contested his first general election and was elected in nine successive elections by the people of Dublin South, frequently topping the poll. His great commitment to his constituents and to public service made him a formidable vote-gatherer and a great asset to our party. Séamus Brennan had keen political acumen and understood better than most the importance of communicating a political message.

As a Minister, Séamus Brennan was a committed public servant in the cause of Ireland. He was a practical Cabinet colleague who thrived on bringing forward proposed solutions to the challenges his country faced. He was an able and capable administrator in each of the offices of State that he held. He first served as Minister of State with responsibility for trade in 1987 before being appointed Minister for Tourism and Transport by Charles Haughey in 1989. In a long and distinguished ministerial career, he also held ministerial portfolios in education, communications, transport and social and family affairs. He served with great distinction as Government Chief Whip from 1997 to 2002 and played a significant role in ensuring that Administration completed its full term. In this role in particular his natural talent for conciliation, accommodation and managing competing pressures served him and the Government of the day very well indeed.

Throughout his career he consistently showed a deep-seated respect for the views of others. He understood that persuasion in politics brings unity of purpose and that coercion and conflict can have no place in a civilised society. He had a practical common sense approach and saw politics as the art of solving problems, not of magnifying them. He focused on accomplishing tasks and getting the job on hand done.

At the core of his political philosophy was his belief that a strong economy geared toward maximising employment was the best means by which wider social objectives could be achieved. As a Minister, his achievements were numerous and of lasting effect. He established the Forum on Small Business and negotiated significant welfare increases for the most vulnerable in society. He published a Green Paper on education which placed special emphasis on giving priority to disadvantaged students. He brought forward many new initiatives in air passenger services.

I served with Séamus in the Governments of Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern. I knew him to be a reforming Minister with a strategic mind and a good grasp of public policy. Ultimately, he believed in doing the right thing by the country and in using his objective political skills to bring the people with us. Séamus played a significant role in shaping the Ireland in which we live today. I wish to acknowledge also his key role in the negotiations that led to the formation of the current Fianna Fáil-Green Party-Progressive Democrat Government with the support of Independent Deputies.

Séamus Brennan was a man of great courtesy. He faced his illness with considerable dignity and fortitude and never complained. He continued to work for his constituents in spite of his declining health. He was a man of commitment, of great insight and of deep patriotism. Ag tabhairt óráid adhlacadh Shéamuis dom, dúirt mé gur mac dílis do chuid cathair na dtreabh ab ea é — fear ina raibh an pholaitaíocht go smior ann. Mheabhróinn don Teach seo gur duine ciúin, séimh, cneasta, cúirtéiseach agus fíor-cumasach ab ea Séamus Ó Braonáin — fear nár loic riamh ar a chúram phoiblí ná ar a chuid cúramaí pearsanta nó chlainne. Gur fada buan a chuimhne. Leaba i measc naoimh agus laochra Gaeil go raibh aige.

Deputy Enda Kenny

Ba mhaith liom cuidiú leis an rún comhbhróin atá molta ag an dTaoiseach as ucht báis Séamus Ó Braonáin. Tá sé oiriúnach go bhfuil a bhean chéile, Áine, agus a seisear chlainne anseo sa Dáil inniu. I outlined the achievements of the late Séamus Brennan when we spoke in this House following his untimely death. One of the nice things about this Parliament is that tribute is paid to fallen warriors. It is a very Irish thing to do.

I will not outline again the political achievements that are the legacy of Séamus Brennan, except to say that in my experience over the years he was somebody who was always exceptionally approachable. He had an extraordinarily warm personality and was never afraid to seek out public representatives in public places, irrespective of the party for which they were elected or of none, in order to make that connection and to show respect for the person whom voters had selected through the ballot box.

Séamus and I might have been formidable opponents in politics over the years but I would like to thank his widow, Ann, for her courtesy and personal hospitality when I visited Finsbury Park, the Brennan home. It was nice for a politician to be in the kitchen, to see where the late Minister would have had his breakfast and spoken with his family about issues of political importance and the day's events. It gave a flavour of that family and, in this case, of Fianna Fáil Cabinet representation. I say this even though I came under some personal pressure. When I left the house I was corralled on the street by an over-enthusiastic constituent who had a particular gripe that he wanted to voice to me, vociferously and at length. In a way that only the wife of a politician could handle and understand Ann despatched from her kitchen a member of her entourage to deal with the matter and I thank her for that.

People sometimes assume that Ministers should not be visited by serious illness. Séamus Brennan understood that his death was imminent. We spoke about that, as I have mentioned before. When this happens to a family, as it has done in many cases in this House, people believe and know it will happen but find it so strange nonetheless. As the Taoiseach pointed out, Séamus Brennan bore his illness with great courage and dignity and was an example to anybody else who has a similar terminal illness.

In his capacity as public representative, he was an example to anybody who aspires to serve in politics. This was evident in the way he put his priorities, in how he looked after his constituents and tended to their needs as best he could. He demonstrated the theory of good democratic politics by being able to reflect those concerns, anxieties and difficulties and by sitting at the Cabinet table and having them reflected in legislation.

Shortly before he died, in the foreword of the booklet for the Bealtaine festival which dealt with elderly people, he wrote:

The vibrant 21st century Ireland we now enjoy has been built on the dedication, sacrifice and vision of generations who are now growing older. But that is the very reason why older voices and a lifetime's experience have still so much to offer in enriching the arts for all of us to enjoy.

He had a real feeling for a vein of public life in Ireland that was highly accurate and typical of him. I will conclude by recalling that a number of years ago, I stood with him in Brennan's Yard in Galway. It was part of his family connection and he told me it was where he was from, where he began and was what he was. In commiserating with the Taoiseach and the Fianna Fáil Party on the loss of a stalwart member and to Ann Brennan and her family, I note the quiet voice of Galway and Dublin South has been stilled. However, his spirit and legacy is there for all to see. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

Bhí deis agam cheana cúpla focal a rá anseo faoi Shéamus Ó Braonáin, díreach i ndiaidh a bháis. Is mian liom ómós a thabhairt dó arís, go háirithe os rud é go bhfuil a bhean chéile agus a chlann i láthair inniu.

Séamus Brennan was a hugely significant figure in Irish politics. He first emerged on the political scene when Jack Lynch had the courage to appoint such a young man as general secretary of Fianna Fáil. It proved to be an inspired choice as Séamus Brennan turned out to be an energetic and innovative general secretary, who piloted the modernisation of the Fianna Fáil organisation. The modernisation and reform of the Fianna Fáil organisation at that time is one reason for the electoral endurance of Fianna Fáil over the last quarter century.

It was inevitable that such a talented political figure would wish to seek election himself and it was a surprise neither when he stood for the Dáil in Dublin South in 1981 nor when he was elected. He served with distinction in a wide range of portfolios at both senior and junior ministerial level. He threw himself into whatever post he held with great enthusiasm. While he endured some ups and downs as Fianna Fáil leaders came and went, he always managed to hold on and bounce back. Séamus Brennan was a man with strong ideas and definite views. Although the Labour Party sometimes disagreed with those views, he always was prepared to discuss them, listen to alternative viewpoints and to have a calm and rational discussion.

Modern politics can be a rough and sometimes brutal business but there was never a nasty word or phrase from Séamus Brennan. He was the essential political gentleman. He was a long-serving Government Chief Whip, which is never the easiest of jobs, and often, particularly in the circumstances in which he served, is an especially difficult one. It was in this capacity that the Opposition had most dealings with him. All those in the Labour Party who dealt with Séamus Brennan as Minister and as Whip found him to be a man of exceptional courtesy and consideration.

Séamus was particularly dedicated to the people of Dublin South, who rewarded that dedication by returning him at election after election with a huge vote. It was a remarkable achievement to have been elected for Dublin South in nine successive general elections and I cannot recall any occasion when he was regarded as being in electoral trouble. Séamus's constituency and mine are neighbours and our paths regularly crossed. I recall telling the House on a previous occasion of a time when I inherited some election workers from him. I had the opposite experience on the day of his funeral because as I left the church, I met some people I had not seen for a while and to whom I had given assistance at various times, such as getting them housed in Ballyogan, Ballyboden and various places in Séamus's constituency. While they were delighted to see me at the funeral, they made it clear to me that their allegiance had shifted solidly to Séamus in their new constituency.

Séamus and I both are from Galway and we often discussed matters relating to Galway together, such as Galway hurling, football, people or politics. The last time I met Séamus socially was at an event in NUIG, at which the university gave him an award of which he was very proud. He endured his illness with characteristic courage and dignity and on behalf of the Labour Party, I wish to extend my sympathies to Ann, their children and to all his colleagues in Fianna Fáil. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

It seems to me that I grew up with Séamus Brennan. I remember in the 1970s watching "Seven Days" and seeing him appear on it, almost like a character from an American movie like "All the President's Men". He had the collar, tie, sideburns and hair to go with modern times and modern politics. I grew into political consciousness during the election of 1977, when all the razzmatazz and colour came from some of Séamus Brennan's thinking.

I remember growing up and seeing him appear on "Today Tonight" in the 1980s. It seemed to me as though he was one of the central characters in the tossing around outside the gates of Leinster House, as people came and went with great dilemmas as to what course of action or direction they would take regarding party loyalties. I recall Deputy John Gormley telling me in the 1990s, as he worked in opposition with Séamus Brennan as the Whip when the Green Party first came into the Dáil as a party, of what an honourable man and easy person he was to work with.

I only came to know Séamus Brennan face to face in the election of 2002, when I learned a lesson or two about some of those skills and political communication. He produced a leaflet during that election that demonstrated all his expertise and brilliance in political communication. It consisted of a satellite picture of the constituency showing every house in such detail that one could see one's own house. Dots on the map marked everything that had been done by the Administration with which Séamus had been involved for the previous five years and it constituted a brilliant piece of political communication because it was personal, simple and highly effective.

He had a highly effective team around him at all times. As an Opposition spokesperson, one would meet Bobby Holland, Frank Lahiffe or others at constituency meetings and one often would be obliged to take a step backwards as the healthy rivalry within the Fianna Fáil camp left little space for opposition. However, he himself, at all times, was an utter gentleman to deal with. I was an Opposition spokesperson engaged in the chess game of trying to catch him out as a Minister. However, this was not easy and he rarely was caught out. While he was gentlemanly and accurate, he also was a superb politician in terms of maintaining calm and intelligence in the midst of whatever frantic questioning was thrown at him.

I saw him in recent years on "Prime Time" as a Minister and in Cabinet, where he showed an incredible calm collected wisdom, even in what must have been incredibly difficult times for him as his illness progressed. He will be a huge loss to Fianna Fáil and also I believe will be a loss to the Government in turbulent times as all could benefit from such calm confidence and ability. Above all else, his loss must be terrible for his family. I remember that on starting out at that 2002 election, I told myself that as I have known Séamus Brennan for 30 years on television, he must be about to retire. I recall looking at his date of birth in Nealon’s Guide and getting a shock on learning he still was a young man. His premature loss must be truly terrible for his family and our sympathies in the Green Party are with them today.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ar son foireann Sinn Féin i dTithe an Oireachtais, ba mhaith liom ár gcomhbhrón a ghabháil le clann Séamus Ó Braonáin. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis. On behalf of the Sinn Féin representatives in the Houses of the Oireachtas, I wish to extend our sympathy to the wife and family of the late Séamus Brennan. May he rest in peace. Like other speakers, my first experience of Séamus took place 11 years ago, when I became the first and sole Sinn Féin Deputy to participate in the modern Dáil. During my five years of solitary responsibility, I had many occasions on which to engage with Séamus as Chief Whip. He always was courteous, affable and highly importantly, always a man of his word.

It is also important to state he was a facilitator. Part of his role as Chief Whip was to deal with a number of Deputies from smaller parties of the time and Independents, and he regularly faced the questions, challenges and issues we brought forward. At all times he approached these matters — some were challenges and others were new issues arising from the new make-up of the 28th Dáil — with a "can do" point of view. I always appreciated that. There was never a direct rejection or a "No" but rather a "Let's see what we can do". As a lone representative of my party over those years, I appreciated that and I wish to record my thanks to him for the way he approached each of the matters I raised.

I extend our sympathy to An Taoiseach and members of the Fianna Fáil Party, which has lost a very valued and much-appreciated colleague. I also extend sympathy to all of Séamus's family and extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

I join the Taoiseach and other party representatives in expressing my sympathy to Ann Brennan and her family — Daire, Sine, Aoife, Breffni, Shay and Éanna.

The death of Séamus Brennan on 9 July saddened us all. The death of a young man, aged just 60, who had only retired from Cabinet two months earlier, was something none of us was quite ready for. In the three months since his death, it is still hard to believe he is not among us. When we returned after the summer break, one would have imagined seeing Séamus Brennan again because he had been in this House for the past 31 years.

I first got to know Séamus Brennan when I was a very young student in Trinity College. He was very encouraging to young people. When I was around 21 he said to me that I should aspire to being a candidate in the upcoming election in 1977. Needless to say that was not top of my agenda and nor did I think it was even a possibility. In 1977, he called me and left a message — this was before the mobile phone era — and when I rang him he told me I was to run in Dublin South-East.

For somebody who, like Deputy Gilmore and Séamus Brennan, had west of Ireland origins but had grown up in west Dublin, Dublin South-East was a foreign territory. I asked him where it was and he told me it took in Donnybrook, Ballsbridge and Goatstown. I said I did not know anybody there and nobody would vote for me. He said he and his wife would vote for me so I had at least two votes. Off I went with my two votes — in the end I think I got 1,599, not even making 1,600.

Since then I was very friendly with Séamus. Right from the start he and Ann were a formidable political pair. There were two politicians in that house and part of Séamus Brennan's success was the enormous political insight, talent and skill of his wife. The story recalled by Deputy Kenny about when he was being politically assaulted in Finsbury Park shows that only somebody like Ann Brennan would have the wherewithal to come to the Deputy's rescue.

It is often said that death is not the greatest loss — the greatest loss is what dies inside us as we live. For the Brennan family, their loss is absolutely immense. As Séamus went through his illness he was partly in denial but more than anything else, he was determined to get better. He did not become a victim to his illness. As he sat around the Cabinet table with his colleagues we could occasionally observe that he was not well, but he was as determined and focused as ever. He made the usual sensible contributions to a variety of issues, not just those which affected his Department.

When Séamus went from an economic Ministry to social welfare, many wondered how he would cope. He was passionate about the economy and had a significant interest in economic matters, particularly those related to transport. He took on the cause of the less well-off in our society with a passion and commitment that was truly remarkable. It was hard to believe he had not spent his life in that Department. He gave everything to every job he had.

Above all else, he will be remembered for the Luas. I remember when we were in the Seanad sometime between 1977 and 1979, he spoke about opening the Harcourt Street line. I admit I thought it was a daft notion. I know in the intervening years there were many detractors and opponents when the project was in planning and under construction but today it is a treasure. It is ironic yet fitting that he should be buried in the shadow of the bridge in Dundrum, in St. Nahi's cemetery. Séamus could not have wished for more.

Aside from the Luas and transport issues being a permanent memory to him, he was a great political organiser. I remember when he went to America for the Carter and Ford election contest in 1976 and came back with all the razzmatazz, such as the song "Your Kind of Country", t-shirts and so on. Many of us wore them at the time, believe it or not. I wonder what he would bring back if he was in America today, observing the contest between Obama and Biden on one side and McCain and Palin on the other. He would probably e-mail hockey clubs looking for a supermum or send a personalised message to "Joe Six-Pack".

Séamus was not just a political machine and he had a great personal touch. I remember just before the last election one of my advisers, who lives in Dublin South, got a wonderful personal message thanking him for all his work for the Government and wishing him and his wife all the best. Séamus did not ask for a vote. We were impressed because we knew Séamus must have at least suspected he would not get the number one vote but he did not ask for any vote. He got a very high preference as a result. About two days later somebody else who works for me received a different personal message. That was a not a political machine at work; there was a unique personal touch in it.

Many people have spoken about his dignity and calmness. He never used personal invective in political debate as he did not think it had any role in the political process. That is the reason he genuinely got on so well with everybody in persuading people.

I remarked very early in my career on his capacity to get great publicity for what were sometimes very minor stories. It was not unusual to pick up a Sunday broadsheet with a headline about something that did not seem, in the grand scheme of things, to be worthy but Séamus was a master at communicating a message, either directly or indirectly through the print media. He was a very formidable political opponent.

Ann and the family are deeply grateful for the significant support received from Séamus's doctors, particularly his general practitioner, Dr. Michael Meehan, Dr. Fennelly and his team and Dr. Frank Sullivan. I know Ann would like this mentioned because both she and Séamus were eternally grateful for the wonderful care that he received.

They say true dignity is not gained by place nor lost when honours are withdrawn. Séamus Brennan had dignity, calmness, friendship and a huge pride in his family. Notwithstanding how busy he was, his family brought him great pride and he gave much time to them. As each of his children grew up, he was immensely proud of their achievements.

He is a huge loss to Ann and her family, as well as to the Fianna Fáil Party. He was deeply committed to Fianna Fáil and as I stated here on the morning of his passing, I know this because I tried to get him to leave on a couple of occasions without any success. He is a great loss because he had great insights into how people thought, how things might work and how to sell political messages. That is why he was so popular not just in his own constituency, but throughout the country.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Deputy Tom Kitt

I rise to pay tribute to my constituency colleague, Séamus Brennan, with the feeling still of disbelief that a man central to national and party politics, and with whom I worked so closely for so many years, is no longer with us. I extend my deepest sympathy to Ann, Shay, Daire, Aoife, Breffni, Sine and Éanna.

Séamus and I were part and parcel of each other's lives for almost 30 years. I was a newly-elected Fianna Fáil councillor when Séamus first arrived to run and get elected in the 1981 general election in Dublin South. At the time, it was a crowded constituency on the Fianna Fáil side. Colleagues such as the late Niall Andrews, the late Ruairí Brugha and Síle de Valera, who later returned to County Clare, were all active and involved. Séamus Brennan was a true professional who was greatly respected and loved by his constituents. The fact that he was always known to them as Séamus speaks for itself.

Dublin South is not a constituency for the faint-hearted and over the years its electorate dealt a cruel blow to many high profile names. As general secretary of the Fianna Fáil Party, Séamus Brennan showed considerable organisational and communications skills which he brought to bear working diligently and meticulously for his constituents.

Constituency rivalries among party colleagues are part and parcel of folklore in this House. One former colleague from this side, Mr. Michael Smith who represented Tipperary North, often compared his rivalry with his colleague, Mr. Michael O'Kennedy, as like playing ground hurling without the sliotar. While we may not have as many sliotars or hurleys in Dublin South, Séamus and I campaigned hard. As the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, said we competed for every vote at election time while at all times respecting each other. Other speakers referred to Séamus's courtesy. He was always courteous to my supporters and me and when the votes were counted and the results emerged, we got on with working together and representing our constituency.

In analysing how Séamus and I always secured a decent vote throughout the past 21 years, it is clear we had much in common, even though we had different ideological perspectives at times. We were both Galway men who worked hard, took nothing for granted and had unflinching support from immediate and extended family and friends. I acknowledge the tremendous support Séamus had from his frontline team of Mary Browne, Frank Lahiffe and Bobby Holland. There are many cross-family friendships on both the Brennan and Kitt sides.

Canvassing from door to door, my canvass team became adept at recognising who would secure the number one vote. The words, "We will look after Séamus and yourself, Tom", meant another number one for Séamus. I often joked with Séamus that one always knew there was no vote for either of us when the fellow with folded arms in the doorway of a house shouted the words, "Best of luck, anyway", as I made my exit along his driveway.

Séamus Brennan left us at a young age and was only one year older than my late father when he died in politics in the mid-1970s. Séamus had much still to give to political life. His family can be proud of his many achievements in government, the Fianna Fáil Party and his constituency, having started his political life at such an early age. As the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, stated, Séamus's final resting place is in St. Nahi's Cemetery, Dundrum, in the shadows of the magnificent Luas bridge. Séamus was rightly proud of his role in bringing the Luas to Dundrum and south Dublin and that achievement is a legacy of his approach to politics, which was about getting things done and making a difference.

The death of Séamus Brennan is a huge loss to his family and the country. He is missed in a special way, as I have been reminded many times in recent weeks and months, by his constituents in Dublin South. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Deputy Olivia Mitchell

I, too, express my sympathy to Séamus's wife, Ann, his children and his extended family. While it is always heartbreaking to lose a close family member, it is particularly tragic to lose so suddenly someone so young and in the prime of his life. Although Séamus was sick for a long time, the end came too quickly.

Séamus gave virtually all his adult life to public service and was reaching the stage in life when he could reasonably look forward to having more time to spend with his family, enjoying his grandchildren, playing golf and enjoying personal time which is not available to Cabinet members or anybody involved in political life. That he was not afforded those years is a tragedy and must be a source of huge regret and sadness to his family.

The last time I saw Séamus was a few weeks before he died when he visited Dundrum town centre to support the Taoiseach who was canvassing for the Lisbon treaty referendum. I will never forget the strain on his face that day. Clearly, the day was taking a huge toll on him and costing him an enormous effort. Although it was heartbreaking to see him, at the same time it was a measure of the man and his sense of loyalty to the Taoiseach, his party and the country, as well as the many Fianna Fáil supporters who were present on the day, that he would turn up for what must have been his final public occasion.

Much has been said about Séamus's political career on the national stage as a Minister who held many portfolios, a household name and an adept and polished television performer. I knew him best as a constituency colleague and for virtually all my time in politics he was the political colossus in Dublin South. As we all know, he was not a big man but he had stature in the constituency. Through his actions and in his demeanour, his constituents on whose behalf he worked tirelessly knew he was on their side. No meeting was too small and no topic too insignificant for him to bother about. He followed up every problem relentlessly. It was a source of jest in Dublin South that one should be wary of contacting Séamus because when one's name entered his database, it was never removed. As the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, noted, one was assured of a lifetime of correspondence.

Séamus's election canvassing machine was legendary and moved inexorably across the constituency. It was feared by the rest of us in much the same way as a panzer division must have been feared. The Brennan team was a sight to behold and instantly recognisable by the presence of his beautiful, red-head daughters who turned out in election after election to support their dad. Every time we met on the hustings it was obvious how proud they were of their father, how devoted they were to him and how proud he was of them.

I do not know if the Brennan team will march again in Dublin South but if not, they will be missed for their colourful presence. From childhood on and in successive elections, Séamus's children provided living testimony to the filial devotion all public representatives need to succeed. At constituency level, Séamus was a formidable, awesome and frustrating adversary at public meetings because his manner was so non-confrontational, reasonable and self-deprecating that he completely disarmed his critics. No matter how irate the constituent, he managed to bring peace where there was disharmony. It was a sobering experience to observe how he trumped the rest of us at public meetings. If he could not promise to meet the demands of those present, he promised the next best thing, namely, a meeting with the Minister in Leinster House. This always went down well as all was forgiven and people left the meeting quietly. The rest of us could not compete with him.

People liked and respected Séamus because he respected them. Many people from all parties expressed genuine sadness at his untimely demise and everybody spoke of the dignity he maintained to the end as well as the gentlemanly manner he displayed in all his dealings with friends and foe. Séamus is missed in Leinster House, in the Government and in the constituency, but the real sadness is felt by Ann and the Brennan family as they try to come to terms with the great loss they have experienced. I offer them my heartfelt sympathy.

Deputy Alan Shatter

I wish to be associated with all the tributes that have been paid. In particular, as I have previously done, I express my sympathy to Ann, Shay, Daire, Aoife, Sine, Breffni, Éanna and the extended Brennan family. While today must be a sad day for the family, I hope it is also a proud day.

Séamus and I entered the Dáil on the same day in 1981, which now seems like an entirely different age. Dublin South was represented at the time by Séamus and me, the late Niall Andrews, the late John Kelly and Nuala Fennell. To some extent, it is strange that I find myself here while Séamus is no longer with us.

Often we say things about those who have passed on which are not completely sincere, but everything that has been said about Séamus today is true and reflects Séamus as a man, a politician and a constituency colleague.

Over the years when we locked horns or trailed around the constituency from meeting to meeting after each other, I cannot recall a single incident or event, be it at a public meeting, at election time or even in this House, when there was a political charge across the House or a cross word expressed by Séamus in my direction. I hope, in the context of my conduct, I behaved similarly towards him.

As a constituency rival, he was a completely trustworthy individual. If he told one something about an issue, and from his perspective as a Minister, it was always true. He never set out to mislead or embarrass those from different parties who were on platforms with him. He had a unique capacity, when delivering bad news, either at a public meeting or to a group he met in this House, to leave them with a ray of hope that whatever cause they were championing would ultimately be successful. That said something about his capacity as a politician. On occasions in the context of Dublin South he had to deliver bad news, be it about a new school or a school extension, but he always assured people he was still fighting for them. The fight was continued and frequently as the years passed the project that appeared hopeless was ultimately delivered. I like to think that my giving him some grief in this House on occasions contributed to him, as a Minister, being able to put pressure on colleagues to do things that were necessary for people in south Dublin.

Séamus and I on occasion shared constituents who had problems, which I am sure is no different from what happens in other constituencies. On the odd occasion we had discussions about individuals who seemed to have a need to visit myself and Séamus, and also probably Deputies Tom Kitt and Olivia Mitchell in recent years. My one regret is that I never checked out with him one individual who felt the need to visit my constituency clinic on a regular basis in the late 1980s and early 1990s to report the number of public light bulbs that had given up the ghost in Dublin South and needed replacing. After the first two or three visits I thought he was trying to be helpful, but as the visits strayed into months, he seemed to feel the need to visit every street in the Rathfarnham area to identify a light bulb that was dysfunctional. This resulted in correspondence to this gentleman assuring him the matter was being followed up, with correspondence back from the county council assuring me the bulb would be replaced. Sadly, I never checked with Séamus whether he had the same light bulb problem. There were other constituents like that whom we shared on a regular basis.

Séamus was a soft-spoken individual, whether it was in this House or at meetings, but he was authoritative. He had a way about him that reassured people. He took that approach in this House and with the media and, as a consequence, people developed enormous affection for him.

He also had a great capacity to read elections and not only to organise them. Séamus used to know the likely outcome of a general election two or three weeks before it was called and had a pretty accurate view of it at least a week before polling day. In the 2007 general election when he was obviously unwell but still striving to get elected, we managed to stand beside each other outside Rathfarnham Church one Sunday morning as people exited from it. We stood side by side shaking hands with and greeting people, both hoping we would get their electoral support. I still remember that as the last person exited and we both moved off to meet again about ten minutes later outside another church gate, Séamus stopped to say to me, "Alan, I've done the sums; I've no doubt you're going to get elected." There is no politician in this House who believes he will be elected until the last vote has been counted. My wife said to me, "Séamus is never wrong about elections." She found that took the pressure off during the last few days of that campaign.

It is fair to say that in this House on occasions the hard word passes across the benches far too frequently. In the case of Séamus that never occurred. He is a great loss to this House and to Dublin South. I wish his family well. I wish Ann well. May he rest in peace.

Members rose.