Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

It was with great sadness that I heard this morning's news. Even though I knew Séamus Brennan's death was imminent, it nevertheless came as a great shock. I am extremely sad and find it difficult to speak.

I offer my sympathies to Séamus's wife, Ann, and their six children on their terrible loss. The Fianna Fáil family has lost one of its most popular members. A man who had no enemies but who had many friends, Séamus was widely respected for his ability to get on with everyone. He had a knack of creating consensus. This was no more evident than when he served as Government Chief Whip.

It has been heartening to hear so many kind words being spoken about Séamus around Leinster House, on the airwaves and by people in the street. When the news broke at7.30 a.m., my phone began to ring. I was contacted by large numbers of people from the constituency of Dublin South who asked me to convey their sympathies to his family when I made my contribution in the Seanad. There is real sadness in the constituency. The people there loved him and he will surely be missed by everyone who knew him. The esteem in which he was held was evident in the size of the vote he managed to attract at successive general elections.

We have an opportunity today to look back and appreciate the life of Séamus Brennan. Born in Galway, he moved to Dublin where he established his political base. I was on the ticket with him in a number of elections and I learned a great deal from him because he was a great source of knowledge. As our political careers developed, we became close friends.

Séamus first came to prominence when he was appointed as Fianna Fáil's youngest ever general secretary in 1973, a post he held until 1980. He was clearly a man of great potential. During his political career, that potential was fully realised. Séamus was first elected to the Dáil in 1981, having previously served as a Senator. He was a decent and honest man, who was liked by everyone who met him. His entire life was dedicated to politics and to the service of others. He always had time to listen to and take one's views on board and he conveyed intelligent advice when called upon to do so.

Séamus held many ministerial portfolios during his political career. He served as Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Minister for Transport, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip, Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Minister for Trade and Marketing, Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications. This list of the positions he held clearly indicates the depth of experience he gained in politics. His service to public live was greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.

I knew Séamus as a consummate politician. I canvassed on his behalf during election campaigns and it was a pleasure to do so. He had the most professional organisation in the country. When an election came around, one would be given an area on which to focus one's canvassing and one would remain in that area and not move outside it. Séamus commanded great loyalty from the people who worked closely with him. In this regard, I particularly refer to Frank Lahiffe, whom I know very well and who is extremely sad today. Frank managed Séamus's campaigns and the person who obtains access to his database will not be a loser when it comes to contesting a general election.

We have lost a brilliant politician and a man who had such a great understanding of all the aspects of politics. Séamus was much loved and will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace.