Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I concur with all the remembrances of Séamus Brennan. My dealings with Séamus began moe than 25 years ago in the Fianna Fáil women's group. Many people in the House will not know that Séamus was an ardent supporter of women participating more fully in politics and in Fianna Fáil. In the early 1980s, the women's group in Dublin South met in a pub in the constituency and Seamus would arrive beautifully dressed in a dapper suit and with beautiful white shirt cuffs. My first memory of him is being beautifully dressed and so respectful to this small group of women who were trying to push things forward.

In the past 25 years I had the pleasure of working on every campaign to get Séamus re-elected to the Dáil Éireann. To participate in the campaigns managed by his wife Ann was something to see.

In 1993 I went forward to represent the Fianna Fáil Dublin women on the national executive and Séamus fully supported me. Senator Geraldine Feeney was elected to represent the women of Connacht-Ulster. Many people, including some in Fianna Fáil, do not realise that 20 years ago, Fianna Fáil was all for women and it had a positive programme for women. Senator Geraldine Feeney and I would not be here but for Séamus's ardent support of the women's group.

When I ran for the Seanad Séamus was fully supportive of me. When I went to the first comhairle meeting in Dublin South I was entitled, as an elected person, to sit at the top table. I was a bit embarrassed moving up to the top table but Seamus told me I deserved to be there. It was such a beautiful thing to say. I would like to share with all the politicians here the lesson he taught me when canvassing. He said one should always ask people for their vote before one leaves them. In any campaign in which I have participated, I have always asked people for their vote. Ireland and Fianna Fáil will never be the same again without Séamus.

Mary Browne, Séamus's personal secretary, was a stellar and loyal supporter to Séamus over the years. Every time I speak to Mary I tell her she is the best secretary anybody could have. Frank Lahiffe and Bobby Holland, who I would call friends of mine, were so loyal to Séamus and a great example of loyalty to the bitter end.