Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I rise today to pay tribute to my constituency colleague, Séamus Brennan, and once again express my deepest sympathy to Ann and her family, and Séamus Brennan's extended family and friends. The death of Séamus has saddened us all. He was a hugely significant figure in Irish politics. He was a true professional and was greatly respected and loved by his constituents. It was only recently, at one of our monthly meetings, that it hit me forcefully that he is no longer among us. Having run with Séamus at many elections in Dublin South, I got to know him very well. As our political careers developed, we became close friends. I was always available to help him out at election time. Likewise, he supported me. Séamus was viewed with great affection in Dublin South and people loved him. The esteem in which he was held was reflected in the size of the vote he managed to attract at successive general elections. He had the ability to reach out to people, using such attributes as his personal touch, dignity, calmness and friendship. He was always calm and dignified at public meetings, no matter how rough the meeting might be. He often disarmed political opponents in the process. He had the common touch. He saw politics as the art of solving problems.

Séamus Brennan was often described as a master politician, which is what he was. He was a good listener. His gentle manner meant that it was impossible to have a fight with him. He believed that everyone had a point of view. No opposing view was ever shot down with personal political attacks. Séamus was a consummate politician. It was a pleasure to canvass on his behalf during election campaigns. He had the most professional political organisation in the country. His election machine was legendary. When an election came around, one would be given an area on which to focus one's canvassing. One would remain in that area until each house had been canvassed before reporting back to base. Séamus had a highly effective frontline team, comprising Mary Browne, Frank Lahiffe and Bobby Holland, throughout his political career. He benefitted not only from the exceptional loyalty his frontline team showed in working with him on a professional basis, but also from the assistance of others who helped his election campaigns so successfully. His family can be proud of his achievements in government, as can the Fianna Fáil Party and his constituents.

As an astute, capable and experienced Minister, his ability was beyond question in the many roles in which he served with distinction. He gave it his best no matter what Ministry he held. He served as Minister in the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Social and Family Affairs, Transport and Tourism, Transport, Tourism and Communications and Education, as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for trade and marketing. As Minister for Transport, he completed the work on the roll-out of the Luas and bringing the Luas to Dundrum was a proud moment for Séamus. That his final resting place is in St. Naghi's cemetery, Dundrum, in the shadow of the Luas bridge must have been one of Séamus's final wishes.

Séamus faced his illness with great dignity and he never complained. He continued to work for his constituents in spite of his declining health. The measure of the man was reflected in him turning up at Dundrum shopping centre to support the Taoiseach as he canvassed on the Lisbon treaty referendum. That also indicated his loyalty to Fianna Fáil supporters and his constituents. Séamus is missed in Leinster House and in the Government but he will also be missed in the constituency as well as in the Fianna Fáil Party. He will be missed throughout the country but, above all, the real sadness is felt by Ann and the Brennan family. They have to come to terms with the great loss they are experiencing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.