Senator Keogan Revives Late Feargal Quinn’s Bill Creating Irish Honour System

Independent Senator Sharon Keogan will today propose a Bill calling for establishing the first Irish honour system to reward exceptional work done by persons who make noteworthy contributions to Ireland and Irish life.

The Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2023 will facilitate the conferral by the State of an honour to be known as Gradam an Uachtaráin to recognise the exceptional achievements of its citizens and the outstanding contributions of others. If passed by the Oireachtas, recipients of the award from President Michael D. Higgins would be entitled to addend the letters ‘G.U.’ to the end of their names. The Bill was originally proposed by the late Feargal Quinn, the founder of Superquinn, during his time as an NUI Senator.

The Bill is sponsored by Senators Sharon Keogan, Victor Boyhan, Rónán Mullen, Tom Clonan and Gerard Craughwell.

Speaking ahead of the motion, Senator Keogan said, “Reviving this Bill is a tribute to the legacy of the late Feargal Quinn. In Ireland, we don’t have an award system. In most other countries, people can be given congressional medals, presidential awards or given title such as a knighthood or an OBE. It’s only right that we have an honours system that awards people for outstanding achievements in a number of areas.”

She continued to say, “Awards would be given under several headings: social and community service, education, health, the arts, or science and technology.”

Senator Keogan concluded her remarks by describing how the granting of the award would be decided — “a prospective recipient of the award can be nominated by both the members of the awarding council and members of the public, ensuring equal access to the commendation for all those who go above and beyond in serving this country and their communities.”