Brennan was born in Galway in 1948. He was educated at St. Joseph's Patrician College in Galway. He attended University College Galway, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1968 and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) the following year.[1] He attended University College Dublin too.[citation needed] He 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.[2] 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. 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 were back in power with a 20-seat majority. Brennan was appointed to Seanad Éireann as a Senator.[3]
Political career
In 1979, Brennan supported George Colley in the Fianna Fáil leadership election caused by the retirement of Jack Lynch. However, Charles Haughey 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 for Dublin South and was returned at every subsequent election until his death in 2008.[4] In the early 1980s, he was a prominent member of the Gang of 22 who tried unsuccessfully to wrest control of the Fianna Fáil party from Haughey. He supported Colley and later Desmond O'Malley in various leadership heaves during those years. It was widely expected that Brennan would join the Progressive Democrats when they were founded by O'Malley in 1985, but he remained within Fianna Fáil.
From November 1994, Fianna Fáil were again 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 was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. He was appointed as 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.[2] After the 2007 general election, he played a key role in the negotiations with the Green Party which led to the formation of the new Government.[2] He did not seek ministerial office in Brian Cowen's cabinet and tendered his resignation on 6 May 2008, for medical reasons.[5]
Political views
Brennan’s political views were shaped by a combination of social liberalism and free-market economics. He supported legal reforms such as the legalisation of divorce and the unrestricted availability of contraception, advocating for greater social freedoms. On economic matters, Brennan championed market-driven policies aimed at encouraging enterprise and reducing state intervention in the economy. His focus was on promoting exports, updating company laws, and facilitating the growth of small businesses. Brennan also sought to modernise Ireland's infrastructure, playing a key role in transport projects and pushing for reforms in the education and welfare systems. While supportive of the social partnership model, he was also critical of certain aspects, such as the tax policies of previous governments.[6]
Death
Brennan died in the early hours of 9 July 2008 at his home in Churchtown in Dublin. He had been suffering from cancer.[7][8] 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".[9]
By-election
His death brought about a by-election at which his son Shay Brennan was the unsuccessful Fianna Fáil candidate.[10] It was won by George Lee of Fine Gael.
