Séamus Brennan

Séamus Brennan
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism
In office 14 June 2007 – 6 May 2008
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	John O'Donoghue
Succeeded by	Martin Cullen
Minister for Social and Family Affairs
In office 29 September 2004 – 14 June 2007
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	Mary Coughlan
Succeeded by	Martin Cullen
Minister for Transport
In office 6 June 2002 – 29 September 2004
Taoiseach	Bertie Ahern
Preceded by	Mary O'Rourke
Succeeded by	Martin Cullen
In office 12 July 1989 – 11 February 1992
Taoiseach	Charles Haughey
Preceded by	John Wilson
Succeeded by	Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Minister of State
1997–2002	Government Chief Whip
1997–2002	Defence
1993–1994	Enterprise and Employment
Minister for Education
In office 11 February 1992 – 12 January 1993
Taoiseach	Albert Reynolds
Preceded by	Noel Davern
Succeeded by	Niamh Bhreathnach
Minister of State
1987–1989	Industry and Commerce
Teachta Dála
In office June 1981– 9 July 2008
Constituency	Dublin South
Senator
In office 27 October 1977 – 11 June 1981
Constituency	Nominated by the Taoiseach
Personal details
Born	(1948-02-16)16 February 1948 Salthill,Galway,Ireland
Died	9 July 2008(2008-07-09)(aged 60) Churchtown, Dublin,Ireland
Political party	Fianna Fáil
Spouse	Ann Brennan ​ (m.1978)​
Children	6
Education	St. Joseph's Patrician College
Alma mater	University College Galway University College Dublin

Séamus Brennan(/ˈʃeɪməs/;16 February 1948 – 9 July 2008) was an IrishFianna Fáilpolitician who served asMinister for Arts, Sport and Tourismfrom 2007 to 2008,Minister for Social and Family Affairsfrom 2004 to 2007,Minister for Transportfrom 1989 to 1992 and 2002 to 2004,Government Chief Whipfrom 1997 to 2002,Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employmentfrom 1993 to 1994,Minister for Educationfrom 1992 to 1993 andMinister of State at the Department of Industry and Commercefrom 1987 to 1989. He served as aTeachta Dála(TD) for theDublin Southconstituency from 1981 to 2008. He also served as aSenatorfrom 1977 to 1981, after beingnominated by the Taoiseach.

Early life

Brennan was born inGalwayin 1948. He was educated atSt. Joseph's Patrician Collegein Galway. He attendedUniversity College Galway,graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1968 and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) the following year.He attendedUniversity College Dublintoo.He qualified as an accountant. Brennan found an interest in politics during his teens when he canvassed forFianna Fáilduring 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 the1976 United States presidential election.He applied new techniques such as marketing strategies and opinion polls to the1977 general election.This resulted in the biggest-ever parliamentary majority for any party; Fianna Fáil andJack Lynchwere back in power with a 20-seat majority. Brennan was appointed toSeanad Éireannas a Senator.

Political career

In 1979, Brennan supportedGeorge Colleyin theFianna Fáil leadership contestcaused by the retirement of Jack Lynch. However,Charles Haugheywas narrowly elected as leader and a new Secretary General of the party was appointed. At the1981 general election,Brennan was elected toDáil Éireannfor theDublin Southconstituency and was returned at every subsequent election until his death in 2008.In the early 1980s, he was a prominent member of theGang of 22who tried unsuccessfully to wrest control of the Fianna Fáil party from Haughey. He supported Colley and laterDesmond O'Malleyin various leadership heaves during those years. It was widely expected that Brennan would join theProgressive Democratswhen 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 appointedMinister of Statewith responsibility for Trade and Marketing. In 1989, he became a full cabinet Minister when he was appointedMinister for Tourism and Transport.In 1991, his brief was widened when the Communications portfolio came under his control. In 1992,Albert Reynoldssucceeded Haughey asTaoiseach.Brennan was one of the few ministers in Haughey's Cabinet who remained in Reynolds' new government. He was appointedMinister for Education.In 1993, aFianna Fáil–Labour Partycoalition came to power and Brennan was demoted toMinister of Statefor Commerce and Technology. He remained in this position until 1994.

In 1995, Fianna Fáil were again in opposition, and the new party leaderBertie Aherndesignated Brennan as Opposition Spokesperson for Transport, Energy and Communications. In 1997, Fianna Fáil returned to power and Brennan becameMinister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach.He became theMinister for Transportin 2002.

In the cabinet reshuffle of September 2004, Brennan was moved to the post ofMinister for Social and Family Affairs.He was bitterly disappointed but he refused to describe it as a demotion.After the2007 general election,he played a key role in the negotiations with theGreen Partywhich led to the formation of the new Government.He did not seek ministerial office inBrian Cowen'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 inChurchtownin Dublin. He had been suffering fromcancer.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 abouta by-electionat which his son Shay Brennan was the unsuccessful Fianna Fáil candidate.It was won byGeorge LeeofFine Gael.