The Irish Statistical Association is to make Dr Garret FitzGerald its first honorary member in recognition of the former Taoiseach's commitment to statistical analysis.
The association said Dr FitzGerald's writings and presentations had constantly emphasised "the necessity of basing social and economic analysis and policy recommendations on sound statistical arguments". It added: "Throughout his career in public life, including while he was Taoiseach, he retained a concern for the quality of official statistics, however great the pressures of the political environment."