The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is said to be disappointed that proposals to establish a form of national honours system have been abandoned. Most citizens would probably share his disappointment. On the eve of the new millennium - and some 68 years after the issue was first mooted - it is to be regretted that no mechanism exists whereby this State and its people can honour those who have made a particular contribution to our society or whose achievements have brought honour and distinction to the country.
The concerns raised about an honours system are not insubstantial. In the light of recent scandals, there are concerns that an awards system might be controlled by some new "golden circle" which would dole out honours to political cronies. There are also concerns that an awards system might be tilted in favour of the great and the good with insufficient recognition for the low-profile, more selfless work of the community and voluntary sector.
For all that, it is surprising that a system cannot be devised in which honours could be conferred in an non-partisan, non-party political way. The system under discussion by Cabinet in recent months had much to recommend it; it allowed the public to make nominations and it proposed that nominations be considered by an independent advisory board "representative of key sections of the community", which would make recommendations to government. But the model contained a fatal flaw; the Government was to be entitled to some select award winners without reference to any independent advisory group. Fine Gael was right to object to this provision; it would have given the Government of the day carte blanche to reward its political friends. The point made by Senator Maurice Manning bears repetition; if that kind of honours system had been in existence in the 1980s, those honoured would no doubt have included many of the Ansbacher account holders of today.
It is to be regretted that the Government, after failing to secure cross-party support, has now abandoned the whole notion of an honours system. If it is truly interested in rewarding distinguished service to the State, it should refine its proposals to ensure a fair and independent nomination system. As Mr Ahern remarked in the Dail earlier this year, we still appear content to "leave it to other countries and organisations" to reward those who have made an outstanding contribution.