asked the Taoiseach the representations he made to the Senate of the National University of Ireland, concerning the possibility of conferring an honorary degree on President Reagan; if he will indicate the reasons for the representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Presidential Honorary Degree.
1.
Following consultations between interested parties, my Department, in accordance with precedent, conveyed a request from me to the Registrar of the National University of Ireland asking that the NUI consider the granting of an honorary degree to President Reagan during his visit to Ireland in June. In view of the close relations between Ireland and the USA, the large Irish ethnic population in the US and the very active role played by US investment in the Irish economy, I am pleased that the NUI has decided to mark this important occasion in such an appropriate fashion.
The Taoiseach tells us that this decision follows consultation between interested parties and is in accordance with precedent but can he tell us what is the precedent involved?
There are a number of precedents for such awards. Between the years 1963 and 1982 there were a number of such occasions, namely, the conferring of honorary degrees on the late President Kennedy of the US, on President Kaunda of Zambia, on President Radhakrishnan of India and on President Reddy, also of India.
Is the Taoiseach adopting exactly the same procedure in this case as the procedure adopted on these other occasions?
The information at my disposal relates most immediately to the last occasion which was the conferring of an honorary degree on President Reddy. The others relate to 20 years ago. In the last case the arrangement was similar in that there was a request from the Taoiseach to the NUI. That has been the procedure adopted on this occasion also.
Newspaper reports seem to indicate that the Senate of the NUI did not have this matter on their agenda. Consequently, I am wondering why this was the case if, as the Taoiseach says, the precedent being adopted on this occasion is similar to that adopted on other occasions.
That seems to be a separate question and one that does not arise here. I am calling Question No. 2.
I am merely inquiring——
I will allow one final supplementary on this question.
——if the Taoiseach would give an indication of the specific policy on which he considers the awarding of an NUI honorary degree to be merited in the case of President Reagan. Can the Taoiseach tell us what degree is to be awarded to the President of the US?
The Chair would regard that as a matter for another forum.
It is very relevant to the question which relates to the awarding of an honorary degree. I am anxious to find out what degree will be awarded to Mr. Reagan and on what basis it is being awarded.
As the Chair has pointed out, that would seem to be a matter for another forum.
I have given reasons for this course being considered to be appropriate and I would add from my personal knowledge, though perhaps it is not for me as Taoiseach to say so, that frequently it is the case that an honorary degree is awarded to honour the position that happens to be held by the person concerned at the time while in other cases the award is made on the basis of the personal achievement of the person concerned. However, these are academic matters which should not disturb the equanimity of the House.