An Irish honours system would serve as an “inspiration” to citizens, Patrick Costello has said 

The Green Party TD has urged the Government to create a way of recognising the “achievements and hard work of the citizens of Ireland”. 

Numerous countries, such as France, Portugal and Britain, award honours and Deputy Costello said this has led him to believe Ireland is missing out. 

“We have a number of citizens over the years who have been given honours by foreign countries,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“For me, that made me think, ‘Why are we here not acknowledging those achievements?’”

Deputy Costello described it as “important” to acknowledge the work and achievement of Irish people. 

“[It’s] the right thing to do but also [would serve] as an inspiration to others,” he said. 

In Britain, the honours system is often criticised for favouring those who are famous and friends with people in the establishment. 

Deputy Costello said it would be important for people to be chosen “in a fair and non-political way” so the deserving are not ignored. 

“That’s why you need to set it up carefully,” he said. 

“I think actually if we look at the American system where you don’t have an award or merit that you join, it’s a simple medal - that’s actually much better at getting in the individual people who have achieved.” 

The Order of St Patrick

The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick was established in 1783 to serve as Ireland’s National Order and as the counterpart of England’s Order of the Garter and Scotland’s Order of the Thistle. 

No appointments have been made since independence and the last knight died in 1974. 

The Order of St Patrick is to remain dormant pic.twitter.com/gvT92QvMKw

— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) November 22, 2023

Last month, British MP Andrew Rosindell tabled a question to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asking if he would consider reviving the order; Minister of State Steve Baker said the order "does not provide a suitable vehicle for recognition as the requisite statutes have not been updated since the 19th century".

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Main image: Green Party TD Patrick Costello. Image: Patrickcostello.ie