09/07/2008

Former Fianna Fail TD Seamus Brennan Dies At 60

The former Fianna Fáíl Government Minister Séamus Brennan has died in Dublin on Wednesday morning. He was 60.

Mr Brennan died at his home in the early hours of the morning following a short illness, which he cited as reason for him to resign from his position in the Cabinet as Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism in May.

The former minister was a general secretary of Fianna Fáil from 1973 to 1980, before becoming a Dáil deputy representing Dublin south in 1981.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, the Fianna Fail leader, Brian Cowen said: Seamus Brennan will be remembered as a brilliant political strategist, a dedicated constituency TD, a reforming Minister and a very popular colleague. He will be hugely missed by everyone in the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party and throughout our entire organisation.”

Mr Brennan is a former general secretary of the Fianna Fáil party. In 1979 he backed George Colley in the leadership struggle. Elected to the Dáil in 1981, he became a member of the "Gang of 22" who tried to wrest control of the party from Charles Haughey.

hen the Progressive Democrats were formed in 1985 it was expected that Mr Brennan would join but he held back at the last minute.

Born in Galway, he made his home in Dublin from the early 1970s, and represented Dublin South from the time the constituency was created.

Mr Brennan was appointed Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on 14 June 2007 but after the resignation of Bertie Ahern he soon followed.

He had been on the Fianna Fáil front bench, whether in Government or in Opposition, continuously since 1987.

(DW)

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