Séamus Brennan (; 16 February 1948 – 9 July 2008) was an Irish
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...
politician who served as
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism from 2007 to 2008,
Minister for Social and Family Affairs from 2004 to 2007,
Minister for Transport
A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government ag ...
from 1989 to 1992 and 2002 to 2004,
Government Chief Whip from 1997 to 2002,
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment from 1993 to 1994,
Minister for Education from 1992 to 1993 and
Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce from 1987 to 1989. He served as a
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála ( , ; plural ), abbreviated as TD (plural ''TDanna'' in Irish, TDs in English), is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament). It is the equivalent of terms such as ''Member of Parli ...
(TD) for the
Dublin South constituency from 1981 to 2008. He also served as a
Senator
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
from 1977 to 1981, after being
nominated by the Taoiseach
A candidate, or nominee, is the prospective recipient of an award or honor, or a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position; for example:
* to be elected to an office — in this case a candidate selection procedure occurs.
* t ...
.
Early life
Brennan was born in
Galway
Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a City status in Ireland, city in the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lo ...
in 1948. He was educated at
St. Joseph's Patrician College
St. Joseph's Patrician College, often known as "The Bish", is a secondary school in the West Ireland city of Galway. Founded by the Patrician Brothers, a religious order, it has approximately 800 students on roll and, in recent years, has ha ...
in Galway. He attended
University College Galway
The University of Galway ( ga, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) is a public research university located in the city of Galway, Ireland. A tertiary education and research institution, the university was awarded the full five QS stars for excellence in 201 ...
, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1968 and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) the following year. He attended
University College Dublin
University College Dublin (commonly referred to as UCD) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland ...
too. He qualified as an accountant. Brennan found an interest in politics during his teens when he canvassed for
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...
during elections. In 1973, he succeeded Tommy Mullins as General Secretary of Fianna Fáil.
He began to revamp the party structure; this included setting up a youth section and a national executive. He studied and was impressed by the
1976 United States presidential election
The 1976 United States presidential election was the 48th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 1976. Democrat Jimmy Carter of Georgia defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford from Michigan by a narrow ...
. He applied 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
John Mary Lynch (15 August 1917 – 20 October 1999) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1966 to 1979, Leader of the Opposition from 1973 to 1977, Minister ...
were back in power with a 20-seat majority. Brennan was appointed to
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann (, ; "Senate of Ireland") is the upper house of the Oireachtas (the Irish legislature), which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann (the lower house).
It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its memb ...
as a Senator.
Political career
In 1979, Brennan supported
George Colley
George Colley (18 October 1925 – 17 September 1983) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Tánaiste from 1977 to 1981, Minister for Energy from 1980 to 1981, Minister for Tourism and Transport from 1979 to 1980, Minister for ...
in the
Fianna Fáil leadership contest caused by the retirement of Jack Lynch. However,
Charles Haughey
Charles James Haughey (; 16 September 1925 – 13 June 2006) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach on three occasions – 1979 to 1981, March to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. He was also Minister for the Gaeltacht from ...
was narrowly elected as leader and a new Secretary General of the party was appointed. At the
1981 general election, Brennan was elected to
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann ( , ; ) is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house).Article 15.1.2º of the Constitution of Ireland read ...
for the
Dublin South constituency and was returned at every subsequent election until his death in 2008.
In the early 1980s, he was a prominent member of the
Gang of 22
The Gang of 22 was a group of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála, TDs (members of parliament) who were opposed to the leadership of Charles Haughey in the early 1980s. The very evident division within the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary group, parliamentary ...
who tried unsuccessfully to wrest control of the Fianna Fáil party from Haughey. He supported Colley and later
Desmond O'Malley
Desmond Joseph O'Malley (2 February 1939 – 21 July 2021) was an Irish politician who served as Minister for Industry and Commerce from 1977 to 1981 and 1989 to 1992, Leader of the Progressive Democrats from 1985 to 1993, Minister for Trade, ...
in various leadership heaves during those years. It was widely expected that Brennan would join the
Progressive Democrats
The Progressive Democrats ( ga, An Páirtí Daonlathach, literally "The Democratic Party" ), commonly referred to as the PDs, was a conservative-liberal political party in the Republic of Ireland.
Launched on 21 December 1985 by Desmond O'Mal ...
when they were founded by O'Malley in 1985, but instead he remained within Fianna Fáil.
In 1987, Fianna Fáil party were returned to office and Brennan was appointed
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a Minister of State is a Junior Minister of government, who is assigned to assist a specific Cabinet Minister. In o ...
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
Albert Martin Reynolds (3 November 1932 – 21 August 2014) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 1992 to 1994, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1992 to 1994, Minister for Finance from 1988 to 1991, Minister for Industry ...
succeeded Haughey as
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government, or prime minister, of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The office is appointed by the president of Ireland upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Oireachtas, Ireland's national legisl ...
. 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
Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...
–
Labour Party coalition came to power and Brennan was demoted to
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a Minister of State is a Junior Minister of government, who is assigned to assist a specific Cabinet Minister. In o ...
for Commerce and Technology. He remained in this position until 1994.
In 1995, Fianna Fáil were again in opposition, and the new party leader
Bertie Ahern
Bartholomew Patrick "Bertie" Ahern (born 12 September 1951) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, Leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2008, Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997, Tánaiste a ...
designated Brennan as Opposition Spokesperson for Transport, Energy and Communications. In 1997, Fianna Fáil returned to power and Brennan became
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach
The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach is a junior ministerial post in the Department of the Taoiseach of the Government of Ireland who performs duties and functions delegated by the Taoiseach.
The position was first created ...
. He became the
Minister for Transport
A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government ag ...
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.
[ After the 2007 general election, he played a key role in the negotiations with the ]Green Party
A green party is a formally organized political party based on the principles of green politics, such as social justice, environmentalism and nonviolence.
Greens believe that these issues are inherently related to one another as a foundation ...
which led to the formation of the new Government.[ He did not seek ministerial office in ]Brian Cowen
Brian Bernard Cowen (born 10 January 1960) is an Irish former politician who served as Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil from 2008 to 2011.
Cowen was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1984, for the constituency of Laois–Offaly and served in a ...
's cabinet and tendered his resignation on 6 May 2008, for medical reasons.
Death
Brennan died in the early hours of 9 July 2008 at his home in Churchtown in Dublin. He had been suffering from cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...
. He is survived by his wife Ann, their two sons and four daughters. Taoiseach Brian Cowen said Brennan would be remembered as "a brilliant political strategist, a dedicated constituency TD, a reforming minister and a very popular colleague".
By-election
His death brought about a by-election at which his son Shay Brennan was the unsuccessful Fianna Fáil candidate. It was won by George Lee of Fine Gael
Fine Gael (, ; English: "Family (or Tribe) of the Irish") is a liberal-conservative and Christian-democratic political party in Ireland. Fine Gael is currently the third-largest party in the Republic of Ireland in terms of members of Dáil ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brennan, Seamus
1948 births
2008 deaths
Alumni of University College Dublin
Alumni of the University of Galway
Members of Dublin County Council
Deaths from cancer in the Republic of Ireland
Deaths from prostate cancer
Fianna Fáil senators
Fianna Fáil TDs
Government Chief Whip (Ireland)
Irish accountants
Members of the 14th Seanad
Members of the 22nd Dáil
Members of the 23rd Dáil
Members of the 24th Dáil
Members of the 25th Dáil
Members of the 26th Dáil
Members of the 27th Dáil
Members of the 28th Dáil
Members of the 29th Dáil
Members of the 30th Dáil
Ministers for Education (Ireland)
Ministers for Social Affairs (Ireland)
Ministers for Transport (Ireland)
Ministers of State of the 25th Dáil
Ministers of State of the 27th Dáil
Ministers of State of the 28th Dáil
Nominated members of Seanad Éireann
People educated at St Joseph's Patrician College
Politicians from Galway (city)
Irish political consultants
Politicians from County Galway
People from Dundrum, Dublin