Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

When one hears of any death, one is always struck by the preciousness and fragility of life. That was certainly the case when I heard about the untimely death of my constituency colleague, Séamus Brennan. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Ann, his children, his brother, Eamon, his sister, Carmel, his other sisters and brothers, his extended family, his friends, his staff — Frank, Mary and Bobby — and his team.

I knew Séamus for many years and was always struck by, and deeply admired, his professionalism, courtesy and amazing insight into the moment and what drives that moment. Séamus devoted his entire professional life to politics and was ahead of his time in changing how we approached and undertook political campaigns.

Many tributes have been paid to Séamus's national achievements. He was honoured to have been consistently re-elected by the people of Dublin South and to haven been repeatedly appointed a Minister. He will be hugely missed by the people of Dublin South. The constituency has a very warm, deep and genuine regard for him and there are many people in it whose lives are that bit better as a result of the assistance, representation and intervention made by Séamus on their behalf. For that alone, he will not be forgotten and his loss will be felt.

I met Séamus approximately four weeks ago and he said that if he could just get one or two months rest, he would not know himself and that he would be back in the thick of things. For those of us who were aware of his determination to fight his illness and, to use his own words, to be back in the thick of things, it is a reminder to us all to appreciate and make the most of every moment we are blessed to have. May Séamus rest in peace.