France: Dominique Perben, the French cabinet minister who last night decorated the former Irish foreign minister David Andrews with the medal of the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, began by apologising for his "horrendous mistake" in scheduling the ceremony at the same time as France's first World Cup match against Switzerland. As a result, only a few dozen of the Andrews' most faithful friends attended.
The Legion of Honour, Mr Perben reminded guests, is France's most prestigious national order. "Our country likes to recognise the merits and talents of exceptional personalities from beyond our borders," he continued. David Andrews was "not only a great Irishman, but also a Francophile and one of France's most distinguished friends".
Among Mr Andrews's achievements, Mr Perben cited the political commitment signified by 38 years in Dáil Éireann. As foreign minister, Mr Andrews participated in the first Irish presidency of Europe in 1977 and led campaigns for ratification of the Maastricht and Amsterdam treaties.
He obtained a seat for Ireland on the UN Security Council and involved Ireland in international mediation in Somalia and East Timor.
Without Mr Andrews's "faith in the future, experience, character, charisma and open mind", Mr Perben said, "the Good Friday agreement would not have happened". Mr Andrews has also served as Ireland's defence and marine minister and as minister of justice. He is, quite simply, Mr Perben asserted, "a statesman".
In his thank you speech, Mr Andrews said he has "always held France and its glorious heritage in the highest regard". Ireland's republican tradition "owes its very inspiration to the French revolutionary ideals of liberté, égalité and fraternité," he added.
Summarising his own role, Mr Andrews said he has "been privileged to make some small contribution on some very important matters".
He was particularly proud of his role in seeking the freedom of Irish citizens wrongly imprisoned in Britain.
During two terms as foreign minister and now as chairman of the Irish Red Cross, he said, "I have helped to highlight the terrible consequences of humanitarian crises in such places as Somalia, Darfur and East Timor".
Mr Andrews closed the ceremony with a tribute to Charles Haughey and the late Taoiseach's friendship with President Francois Mitterrand.
"He would have approved of my being presented this honour," Mr Andrews said.