The Taoiseach this week returned to a subject which he has raised in the past - the possibility of establishing an Irish honours system.
Mr Ahern disclosed in the Dáil that he had written to other party leaders asking whether they would be willing to discuss setting up a system for conferring honours on Irish people living in Ireland, on members of the diaspora, and others who were deemed to have made a significant contribution at international level or in Ireland. In seeking the views of others, Mr Ahern's own position is not in doubt.
The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, offered immediate support for the idea. A more circumspect Eamon Gilmore displayed some scepticism and is seeking guidance from Labour's parliamentary party. Sinn Féin's leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, said he believed an acceptable system could be devised.
This is an interesting proposal which, if properly and transparently executed, could benefit the citizens of Ireland. There is nothing inherently wrong with the idea of an honours system, nothing that should transgress the ideals of a democratic republic. But getting it right - establishing who decides an award is merited and according to what criteria - is crucial.
The last people who should be discharging these functions, once a scheme is established, are the government of the day and other serving politicians. With a political culture long bedevilled by cronyism and sycophancy, the pitfalls for an Irish honours system are self- evident. That, however, is not a good enough reason for shying away from an intrinsically good idea.
Ireland is one of the few modern democracies not to have a scheme under which manifest achievement, to the benefit of Ireland and the world, and excellence across a range of walks of life, are accorded due recognition. There is nothing in the DNA of a republic that says the ideals underpinning rule of the people, by the people and for the people are inimical to the notion of honours bestowed in the name of the people.
The starting point for this debate must be that whatever honours are devised, they must be awarded in the name of the people of Ireland, not the government of the day. They should be presented by the President, as first citizen, on the recommendation of a group of eminent persons, whose motives must be beyond reproach, who must be flameproof against the blandishments of politicians but capable also of reading the public mood. A nomination procedure in which people had confidence would be critical to the success of any scheme.