Dáil holds minute’s silence for late Seamus Brennan

The Dáil has held a minute's silence this morning for former Government minister Seamus Brennan following his death at the age of 60.

All the party leaders paid tribute to the Fianna Fáil TD, who was hugely popular across the political divide.

Brian Cowen’s voice faltered towards the end of his tribute to his former cabinet colleague, whom he said would be hugely missed.

Green Party leader John Gormley, meanwhile, recounted how, when Mr Brennan opened talks with the party on forming a coalition Government, he said: "You're playing senior hurling now lads."

Elsewhere, Health Minister and former Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney said he was a man of huge conviction.

"He was totally loyal to the Fianna Fáil party. I should know - I tried to get him to leave," she said, to laughs around the chamber.