Sir Anthony O'Reilly yesterday became one of the few Irishmen to receive the full honours of a British knighthood.
Sir Anthony can receive a full rather than honorary knighthood because he also holds British citizenship. The knighthood also means his wife will be known as Lady O'Reilly.
Although Sir Anthony is a British citizen, because he also holds Irish citizenship the British authorities had to contact the Government before including his name on the New Year's Honours List. Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution states: "No title of nobility or honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the government".
The Government process of considering the matter was apparently conducted in an adhoc manner, involving telephone calls among ministers and was informally raised at a meeting of the Cabinet. Anyone can nominate an individual for an award by sending off a recommendation to a committee which decides on the biannual lists. In this way, people who are not celebrities but may have been recognised for good works in their communities can appear on the lists.
British government departments and agencies can also nominate individuals. The Prime Minister adds his own names to the list and then presents it to Queen Elizabeth for approval. She can also add to the list.
Sir Anthony's name would most likely have been put forward by officials in the Northern Ireland Office, as it appeared in the "diplomatic and overseas list" of the New Year's Honours List.
Along with about 2,000 others receiving a variety of awards, Sir Anthony's name appeared last December in the London Gazette, a publication owned by the monarchy. The entry read that he was honoured for "long and distinguished service to Northern Ireland".
The award is largely in recognition of the work carried out by the Ireland Funds, which Sir Anthony founded in 1976. The funds have raised over $100 million for the causes of peace, culture and charity in both parts of Ireland. Last year more than 55 fund-raising events were held in 32 cities around the world.
The funds, distributed on a non-denominational basis, operate in nine countries: Ireland, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, South Africa and Japan. When the award was announced Dr O'Reilly said it represented a recognition of those in the Ireland Funds who had worked for peace and reconciliation in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
He also established the O'Reilly Foundation in 1998 to promote worthy causes. It now has an endowment portfolio worth around $4 million.
Sir Anthony has been involved in businesses such as Heinz, Waterford Wedgwood and newspaper interests in Ireland, the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Born in Dublin in 1936, he graduated from UCD and the Incorporated Law Society as a solicitor and then obtained a PhD in agri-marketing at the University of Bradford.
He received the Order of Australia from Queen Elizabeth in 1988 for his services to the cause of Irish-Australian understanding.
Some 14 honorary doctorates from universities around the world were to follow, including one from Trinity College, where he is Pro-Chancellor.