Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

-----which is an honourable order. If one goes to St. Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle one will see the various flags of the recipients of the old Order of St. Patrick. It was abolished in 1921 and I see no reason it should not be reintroduced. Every other country has an honours system. The most republican of republics, France, has a far more elaborate honours system than even the monarchical system in the UK. However, it has retained its stout independence and presents itself as a republic. It does not in any way feel compromised by orders, many of which were inherited from the nobility. I am not speaking about the nobility, but the debate seems to centre on nobility and orders of merit. Perhaps at some stage if there is some way of nudging the constitutional convention into other matters, which it will inevitably discuss, these other matters might include the question of an honours system and I put it out there for what it is.

The motion is timely. Whether it is flawed is a subjective view. Senator Norris has done the House a favour in keeping the item on the agenda and I applaud him for it. I hope the motion is accepted. As a result of this debate the Government may reflect on it and perhaps influence the constitutional convention to examine some of the issues raised on all sides of the House.