asked the Taoiseach if the Government will consider the introduction of a national honour or honours system to acknowledge the exceptional in human achievement so as to encourage and mark service to the community, society and to mankind; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The matter is not under consideration at present. However, if any significant body of opinion in the Oireachtas is favourable to the idea, I would be willing to explore it further with Opposition parties.

Does the Taoiseach consider that people like Bob Geldof, Eamon Coughlan and Seán McBride who have been honoured internationally should also be honoured by their own community and by the Government? Does the Taoiseach consider it appropriate that some form of national honours should be introduced to commend these people for the service they have rendered to society?

I have an open mind on the subject. I studied the file — which goes back to 1929 — when I was Minister for Foreign Affairs. I notice in a previous reply which I gave in this regard that I said the file went back to 1939, which is incorrect. As I said, it goes back to 1929 and the matter was considered on about three occasions by different Governments who did not pursue the matter. It is certainly very unusual for a State not to have an honours system of any kind; offhand I cannot recall a State in that position except ourselves. On the other hand, one of the reasons for the Government not pursuing the matter — although I am not certain of this — may be concern lest in introducing any such system it might be difficult to control it in such a way that honours would be genuinely confined to people of distinction and that the system might be abused. I suspect fears of that kind may have been inhibiting factors. However, as I said, I have an open mind on this subject and perhaps it could be considered by the parties.

In case anybody has the wrong idea, I am not suggesting that the Taoiseach should introduce a knighthood for backbenchers.

Would the Taoiseach consider it would be helpful if an all party committee of the House considered the matter in view of the fact that many of our citizens are honoured abroad and that we do not have a similar procedure at home?

It is a matter which could be discussed between the Whips and if it is found that there is a view among the parties that the matter is worth pursuing, then we will pursue it.