Joseph Brennan ( Irish politician ) For other people named Joseph Brennan , see Joseph Brennan ( disambiguation ) . Joseph Brennan ( 14th February 1912 – 13th July 1980 ) , was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil Party politician . He was born in Dunkineely in County Donegal in 1913 . He was educated locally and developed great skill at Gaelic Football , playing for his county team . Brennan was elected as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Donegal West constituency at the 1951 general election and was re-elected at each election until his death . As constituency boundaries were changed , he represented Donegal South West from 1961 – 1969 , Donegal-Leitrim from 1969 – 1977 , and Donegal from 1977 – 1981 . In 1959 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance , becoming Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach after the 1961 election . Brennan joined the Cabinet of Seán F. Lemass in 1965 when he became Minister for Posts & Telegraphs . The following year he became Minister for Social Welfare . Following the 1969 general election he became Minister for Labour . In the wake of the Arms Crisis in 1970 he also took on the Social Welfare portfolio . The 1973 general election returned a Fine Gael - Labour `` National Coalition `` government , but Fianna Fáil was returned to power at the 1977 general election . Brennan became Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann , a position he held until his death in 1980 , aged 68 . The by-election for his seat in the Donegal constituency was held on 6th November 1980 , and won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Clement Coughlan . Cabinet Positions Preceded by : Gerald Bartley Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance 1959–1961 Succeeded by : Donagh O'Malley Preceded by : Donnchadh Ó Briain Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach ( Government Chief Whip ) 1957-1961 Succeeded by : Michael Carty Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1957-1961 Succeeded by : Michael Carty Preceded by : Michael Hilliard Minister for Posts & Telegraphs 1965–1966 Succeeded by : Erskine Hamilton Childers Preceded by : Kevin Boland Minister for Social Welfare 1966–1969 Succeeded by : Kevin Boland Preceded by : Patrick Hillery Minister for Labour 1969–1973 Succeeded by : Michael O'Leary Preceded by : Kevin Boland Minister for Social Welfare 1970–1973 Succeeded by : Brendan Corish Preceded by : Seán Treacy Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann 1977–1980 Succeeded by : Pádraig Faulkner Speakers of Dáil Éireann Cinn Comhairlí Dáil Éireann Cathal Brugha | Sean T. O'Kelly | Eoin MacNeill | Michael Hayes | Frank Fahy | Patrick Hogan | Cormac Breslin | Seán Treacy | Joseph Brennan | Pádraig Faulkner | John O'Connell | Thomas Fitzpatrick | Séamus Pattison | Rory O'Hanlon This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database Categories : 1912 births | 1980 deaths | Irish Fianna Fáil Party politicians | Donegal Gaelic footballers | Former Teachtaí Dála | Members of the 14th Dáil | Members of the 15th Dáil | Members of the 16th Dáil | Members of the 17th Dáil | Members of the 18th Dáil | Members of the 19th Dáil | Members of the 20th Dáil | Members of the 21st Dáil | Speakers of Dáil Éireann | Natives of County Donegal Joseph Brennan Gerald Bartley Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance 1959–1961 Donagh O'Malley Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach ( Government Chief Whip ) 1957-1961 Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence 1957-1961 Michael Carty Michael Carty Donnchadh Ó Briain Michael Hilliard Minister for Posts & Telegraphs 1965–1966 Erskine Hamilton Childers Kevin Boland Minister for Social Welfare 1966–1969 Kevin Boland Patrick Hillery Minister for Labour 1969–1973 Michael O'Leary Kevin Boland Minister for Social Welfare 1970–1973 Brendan Corish Seán Treacy Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann 1977–1980 Pádraig Faulkner 