JACK CHARLTON said he was "absolutely delighted" by yesterday's Government decision to award him honorary Irish citizenship.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring suggested that the rare honour should be conferred on Charlton at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, where it was unanimously agreed.
He is expected to be issued with a certificate of citizenship in the near future.
Charlton, who is on holiday in southern Spain, was told on the telephone about the Government's decision on Monday by Mr Spring.
"I have lots of Irish friends and I will be delighted to be able to speak to them on a par. Over the past 10 years, I have felt gradually more Irish all the time. I am as happy as a pig in muck," he said.
Charlton and his wife, Pat, will become the eighth and ninth people to be granted honorary Irish citizenship.
Under Section 12 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, the President may grant citizenship "as a token of honour to a person or to a child or grandchild of a person who, in the opinion of the Government, has done signal honour or rendered distinguished service to the nation".
It is normal practice for the President to award the honorary citizenship.
