Former minister Séamus Brennan dies aged 60

The death has taken place in Dublin of former Fianna Fáíl Government minister Séamus Brennan. He was 60.

Mr Brennan died at his home in the early hours of this morning following a long illness.

He resigned from his position in the Cabinet as Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism on May 6th for medical reasons.

Mr Brennan was general secretary of Fianna Fáil from 1973 to 1980, before becoming a Dáil deputy for Dublin south in 1981.

In 1979 he backed George Colley in the leadership struggle. He went on to become a member of the "Gang of 22" who tried to wrest control of the party from Charles Haughey.

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

Mr Brennan was born in Galway on February 16th, 1948 and was educated at St Joseph's Secondary School, Galway, University College Galway and University College Dublin where he studied economics and commerce and qualified as an accountant.

At this morning's Dáil sitting, party leaders will be invited to pay tribute to Mr Brennan in advance of a debate on the Government's proposal to introduce a series of spending cutbacks.