Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

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.

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