Former Fianna Fáil TD Mr Michael O'Kennedy is to become the first former Government minister to accept an honour from the British queen, it emerged today.
Mr O'Kennedy, who held six different ministries during a 35-year parliamentary career, has been awarded an honorary CMG in recognition of his work as co-chairman of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body (BIIPB).
The CMG honour is that of Companion, in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. Awards under the Order are conferred by the queen, on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Officials confirmed Mr O'Kennedy would be the first former Irish minister to receive the honour when it was presented by British ambassador Mr Stewart Eldon at his Dublin residence next Thursday, July 8th.
"Michael O'Kennedy has played a leading role in forging links between the UK and Irish parliaments," the ambassador said. "His co-chairmanship of the body from 1997-2002 helped develop the remarkably warm bilateral relations which exist today.
"This honour is richly deserved for such an important contribution to British- Irish relations reflecting the common interests of our people."
Mr O'Kennedy (68) served as a Fianna Fáil member of the Oireachtas for over 35 years, holding six different ministerial portfolios, including foreign affairs, finance and agriculture. He was also an EC Commissioner from 1981 to 1982.
Mr O'Kennedy was co-chairman of the BIIPB from 1997 until his retirement from politics in 2002.
The Body was formally established in 1990 as a link between the British parliament and the Dáil and meets for two plenary sessions each year, held alternately in the two jurisdictions. It consists of 25 Irish and 25 British parliamentarians.
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George was founded in 1818. The motto is " Auspicium melioris aevi" or "Token of a better age".