Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That was a very impressive chronology of progress over the 80 years. It demonstrates a lot of uncertainty, a lot of hesitation and a lot of doubt. However, I recall one thing that has happened in past years - that Dr. T. K. Whitaker, who is now 97 years of age, was honoured by being declared the Irishman of the 20th century. It is in that sort of context that I say this could be the first toe-testing, if one wants to put it that way, of a President's honours list - not an award but rather a President's declaration of particularly productive contributions to the people of Ireland. That is the way I would take it, given that there has been such going around in circles for 80 years. We could make one move forward in that regard.

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