Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My apologies for being late but I was at a meeting. Unfortunately, I was not in the Chamber to hear the Minister of State's contribution in full but I am delighted to hear that the Government is not opposing this Bill which I support because I believe the extraordinary contributions of ordinary citizens in this country to their communities, families and so on should be recognised. I understand the reason some people are reluctant to have an honours system, which I think is based on our history in terms of the abuses of nobility here in the past. However, that is not a reason why, as a republic, we should not have here a mechanism, similar to that in place in other countries such as France, through which the outstanding contributions of ordinary citizens are recognised. For this reason, I am anxious that Senator Quinn's Bill be supported by this House.

I commend the Senator on introducing this legislation and thank the Minister of State, on behalf of the Government, for not opposing it. I look forward to its speedy passage through this House.