Séamus Brennan (16 February 1948 – 9 July 2008) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin South. He served as a Minister of State, Minister for Tourism and Transport (1989–91), Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (1991–92), Minister for Education (1992–93), Minister for Transport (2002–04), Minister for Social and Family Affairs (2004–07) and Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (2007–08).

[edit] Early life

Séamus Brennan was born in Galway. He was educated at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Galway, University College Galway and University College Dublin where he studied Economics and Commerce and qualified as an accountant. Brennan found an interest in politics during his teens when he canvassed for Fianna Fáil during elections. In 1973 he succeeded Tommy Mullins as General Secretary of Fianna Fáil.^[1] He began to revamp the party structure with the setting up of a national executive. Brennan studied and was impressed^{[citation needed]} by the Presidential Election in the United States in 1976. He applied^{[citation needed]} new techniques such as marketing strategies and opinion polls to the 1977 general election. This resulted in the biggest ever parliamentary majority for any party. Fianna Fáil and Jack Lynch were back in power with a 20-seat majority. Brennan was appointed to Seanad Éireann.^[2]

[edit] Entry into politics

In 1979 Brennan supported George Colley in the Fianna Fáil leadership contest, caused by the retirement of Jack Lynch. However, Charles Haughey was narrowly successful and a new Secretary General of the party was appointed. At the 1981 general election, Brennan was elected to Dáil Éireann for the Dublin South constituency and was returned at every subsequent election until his death in 2008.^[3] In the early 1980s he was a prominent member of the Gang of 22 who tried unsuccessfully to wrestle control of the Fianna Fáil party from Haughey. He supported Colley, and later Desmond O'Malley, in various leadership heaves throughout the whole era. It was widely expected that Brennan would join the Progressive Democrats when they were founded by O'Malley in 1985 but instead he remained within Fianna Fáil.

In 1987 Haughey's Fianna Fáil party were returned to office and Brennan was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Trade and Marketing. In 1989 he became a full Cabinet Minister when he was appointed Minister for Tourism and Transport. In 1991 his brief was widened when the Communications portfolio came under his control. In 1992 Albert Reynolds succeeded Haughey as Taoiseach. Brennan was one of the few ministers in Haughey's Cabinet who remained in Reynolds' new government. He was appointed Minister for Education. In 1993 a Fianna Fáil–Labour Party coalition came to power and Brennan was demoted to Minister of State for Commerce and Technology. He remained in this position until 1994.

[edit] Recent life

In 1995 Fianna Fáil were in opposition and the new party leader, Bertie Ahern designated Brennan as Opposition spokesperson for Transport, Energy and Communications. In 1997 Fianna Fáil returned to power and Brennan became Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Defence. He became the Minister for Transport in 2002.

In the cabinet reshuffle of September 2004, Brennan was moved to the post of Minister for Social and Family Affairs. He was bitterly disappointed but he refused to describe it as a demotion.^[1] After the 2007 general election, he played a key role in the negotiations with the Green Party, which led to the formation of the current Government.^[1] He did not seek ministerial office in Brian Cowen's cabinet and tendered his resignation on 6 May 2008, for medical reasons.^[4]

[edit] Death

Séamus Brennan died in the early hours of 9 July 2008 at his home in Churchtown in Dublin. He had been unwell for some time.^[5] He is survived by his wife Ann, their two sons and four daughters. Brian Cowen said Brennan would be remembered as "a brilliant political strategist, a dedicated constituency TD, a reforming minister and a very popular colleague".^[6]

[edit] By-election

His son, Shay Brennan, was the unsuccessful Fianna Fáil candidate at the Dublin South by-election, 2009.^[7] George Lee of Fine Gael won the subsequent by-election.

[edit] References

Séamus Brennan Oireachtas Preceded by New constituency Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Dublin South 1981–2008 Succeeded by George Lee (Fine Gael) Political offices Preceded by New office Minister of State (with special responsibility for Trade and Marketing) 1987–1989 Succeeded by Terry Leyden Preceded by John Wilson Minister for Tourism and Transport 1989–1991 Succeeded by Himself as Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications Preceded by Himself as Minister for Tourism and Transport Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications 1991–1992 Succeeded by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn Preceded by Noel Davern Minister for Education 1992–1993 Succeeded by Niamh Bhreathnach Preceded by Michael Ahern Minister of State (with special responsibility for Commerce and Technology) 1993–1994 Succeeded by Pat Rabbitte Preceded by Jim Higgins Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Government Chief Whip) 1997–2002 Succeeded by Mary Hanafin Minister of State at the Department of Defence 1997–2002 Preceded by Mary O'Rourke as Minister for Public Enterprise Minister for Transport 2002–2004 Succeeded by Martin Cullen Preceded by Mary Coughlan Minister for Social and Family Affairs 2004–2007 Preceded by John O'Donoghue Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism 2007–2008 v • d • e « 13th Seanad «   Members of the 14th Seanad Éireann (1977–1981) » 15th Seanad » Cathaoirleach Séamus Dolan (FF)  • Leader of the Seanad Eoin Ryan, Snr (FF) Administrative Panel Liam Burke (FG) • Micheál Cranitch (FF) • Jack Garrett (FF) • Tras Honan (FF) • Thomas Kilbride (FG) • Michael P. Kitt (FF) • Myles Staunton (FG) Agricultural Panel Pierce Butler (FG) • Paul Connaughton (FG) • John Ellis (FF) • Justin Keating (Lab) • Rory Kiely (FF) • Gerard Lynch (FG) • Joe McCartin (FG) • Charles McDonald (FG) • Patrick McGowan (FF) • Martin O'Toole (FF) • William Ryan (FF) Cultural and Educational Panel Richard Conroy (FF) • Patrick Cooney (FG) • Flor Crowley (FF) • Timothy McAuliffe (Lab) • David Molony (FG) Industrial and Commercial Panel Ruairí Brugha (FF) • Alexis FitzGerald, Snr (FG) • Desmond Governey (FG) • Michael Howard (FG) • Liam Hyland (FF) • Mick Lanigan (FF) • Michael Moynihan (Lab) • Patrick J. Reynolds (FG) • Eoin Ryan, Snr (FF) Labour Panel John Blennerhassett (FG) • Séamus Dolan (FF) • Joseph Dowling (FF) • Des Hanafin (FF) • Jack Harte (Lab) • Anthony Herbert (FF) • Brian Hillery (FF) • Fintan Kennedy (Lab) • Michael Lyons (FG) • Bernard Markey (FG) • Andy O'Brien (FG) National University of Ireland Gemma Hussey (Ind) • Augustine Martin (Ind) • John A. Murphy (Ind) University of Dublin Conor Cruise O'Brien (Ind) • Mary Robinson (Lab) • Trevor West (Ind) Nominated by the Taoiseach Séamus Brennan (FF) • Séamus de Brún (FF) • Eileen Cassidy (FF) • Valerie Goulding (FF) • Mary Harney (FF) • Valentine Jago (FF) • Gordon Lambert (Ind) • Bernard McGlinchey (FF) • Noel William Mulcahy (FF) • T. K. Whitaker (Ind) • Michael Yeats (FF) Elected or nominated later 1977 Michael Patrick Donnelly (FF) • 1979 Catherine McGuinness (Ind) • 1980 Jim Doolan (FF) • James Ruttle (FF) • 1981 P. J. Mara (FF) • Joseph O'Neill (??)} FF: Fianna Fáil • FG: Fine Gael • Lab: Labour Party • Ind: Independent •  ??: Unknown party