The Government is not opposing a plan for a new “honours system” that would see special letters placed after the name of those who have contributed to Irish society.
Despite this, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has admitted that he is not in favour of the proposal and does not think Ireland “should go down that route”.
The new proposal for a programme called “Gradam an Uachtaráin” (the President’s Award) will be discussed in the Seanad on Wednesday.
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The Bill has been proposed by Senators Sharon Keogan, Victor Boyhan, Rónán Mullen, Tom Clonan and Gerard Craughwell
The proposed award would “recognise the exceptional achievements of its citizens and the outstanding contributions of others and to provide for related matters”.
It is proposed that the awarding of the honour will be marked by a presentation by the President of Ireland of a medal, which may be worn on formal occasions, and a lapel button.
A person who has been awarded the honour of Gradam an Uachtaráin may use the post-nominal letters “G.U.” to show that they have received the recognition.
It is proposed that the honour would be given to a maximum of 12 people a year, with just four awards given to people who are not of Irish nationality.
The honour would be given to a person who has an “outstanding achievement” within and outside the State in categories such as social and community affairs, education and healthcare, arts, literature and music, science and technology, migrant and minority communities, sport and leadership and business.
While the Government has chosen not to oppose the proposal, the Taoiseach said that he is not in favour of the idea. He made the comments outside Government Buildings following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel.
“We did have a good discussion about it at Cabinet,” Mr Varadkar said.
“I think it’s fair to say there would be a significant degree of reluctance and unease about going down that route in Ireland.
“Our constitution prohibits us from having titles of nobility. In fairness, no one is proposing anything like that.
“We do have Gaisce, which is the President’s Award, already. We have the Distinguished Service Award as well.
“Looking across the world and to other parts of the world, you often see people getting honours for the wrong reasons because of their connections.
“Then you see people – and I suppose this is inevitable in life – who later in life turn out to be undeserving of those honours.
“I’d be reluctant to go down the route, quite frankly. I think I can speak for the Government in that regard.”
The Taoiseach said that the Government did not want to “shoot the idea down” and so is not opposing the idea to allow further discussion on it.
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