TRIBUTES:PRESIDENT MARY McAleese led the tributes to Fianna Fáil TD and former minister Séamus Brennan, who died in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Mr Brennan's remains will repose at Flanagan's Funeral Home in Dundrum, Dublin from 4pm today, followed by a removal to Holy Cross Church, Dundrum, arriving at 7pm. The funeral Mass will take place tomorrow at noon.
Mrs McAleese said Mr Brennan had played "a major role in the building of the modern Ireland". "His achievements and contribution will leave a lasting mark on our country," the President said in a statement.
Speaking in the Dáil, where a minute's silence was observed in memory of Mr Brennan, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: "Séamus 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."
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern recalled in a statement how they worked together in the early 1980s: "I remember Séamus as a great force for calm in those volatile days." He continued: "I am deeply grateful for Séamus's unwavering support for me during my tenure as leader of Fianna Fáil and as taoiseach."
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Drivetimeyesterday, Mr Ahern denied Mr Brennan was moved from minister for transport to minister for social and family affairs in 2004 against his will. "The idea that he was shafted out of transport is certainly not true," he said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Mr Brennan "could always be relied upon to respond in a calm and measured way to any crisis."
Minister for Health Mary Harney said Mr Brennan "devoted his entire life, successfully, to politics and the betterment of his country and of his community in south Dublin".
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said: "Séamus Brennan was a hugely significant figure in Irish politics going back to the era of Jack Lynch."
Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley said Mr Brennan "played the pivotal role in the formation of this Government."
The leader of the Progressive Democrats, Senator Ciarán Cannon, said: Mr Brennan had been "the glue" that held Fianna Fail-led coalition governments together. Paying tribute to his Fianna Fáil constituency colleague, Tom Kitt said Mr Brennan was "greatly respected and loved by his constituents."
Dublin South Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell said Mr Brennan "had a grasp of issues and a way of dealing with people that ensured his repeated re-election in the constituency", while the other Dublin South Fine Gael TD, Alan Shatter, said Mr Brennan "was not just a politician of national prominence, he was a local political institution".
Minister for Foreign Affairs Michéal Martin said he would cut short his visit to the Middle East to attend Mr Brennan's funeral.
