Oireachtas

Honours system to be examined

The Taoiseach has agreed to consider the introduction of an honours system

By MICHAEL O'REGAN and MARIE O'HALLORAN
Thu Jun 25 1998 - 01:00

The Taoiseach has agreed to consider the introduction of an honours system. Mr Ahern said as the State entered the 21st century he believed "it is now appropriate that we examine this issue, and show our maturity, and possibly put in place for the millennium a system whereby we can properly honour those in our society who have made a fundamental contribution, and not leave it to other countries and organisations to do this for us."

He was responding to Mr Michael Finucane (FG, Limerick West), who suggested that such a system be introduced to honour people who had made a major contribution to Irish society.

The Taoiseach revealed that an honours system had been first mooted 68 years ago and had been considered by five former Taoisigh. Having read the Government file on the issue, from an historical perspective, he had found that comparisons were always made with the system in another jurisdiction. It was felt on each occasion when it was considered that it was the wrong time to introduce it.

He said they should now consider a system which recognised the unique nature of Irish society.

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Mr Ahern said the overriding concern must be that the system be introduced on a non-party political basis, and he would write to the party leaders asking for their views. "If there is support for the idea across a majority of parties, I would then be happy to examine the matter in greater detail."

Welcoming the Taoiseach's views, the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said his party would be opposed to anything remotely close to the British system of "royalty and monarchical-type of honours system where it is Buggins's turn and is an extension of the court of privilege and patronage".

Mr Ahern said he would not follow any system like the one outlined by Mr Quinn. Mr Gay Mitchell (FG, Dublin South Central) said there should be a consensus across the political divide on those to be honoured and they should be small in number. Granting of the freedom of the city of Dublin was something currently handled with delicacy and only given on rare occasions.