THE LARGE medal that hung on a green-and-red satin ribbon around the neck of Irish MEP Liam Aylward symbolised three things, Irish Ambassador to France Anne Anderson said: "Recognition for Liam, recognition for the European Parliament, which is so often underrated, and recognition of the strength of the Franco-Irish alliance in agriculture."
Last night Mr Aylward was made a commander in the order of agricultural merit, the highest rank in the French honour system. The award expressed the gratitude of French agriculture minister Michel Barnier to Mr Aylward for his role as "one of the most highly respected EU legislators in agricultural matters".
Mr Aylward's report on the future of European sheep farming and lamb-processing sectors was adopted almost unanimously.
The occasion gave Mr Barnier, a former - and probably future - European Commissioner, the opportunity to upbraid Irish farming associations for failing to deliver rural constituencies in the Lisbon referendum."The whole of Europe is now dependent on a decision in Ireland," Mr Barnier said.
More than 40 people from Dublin, Brussels and Paris were in attendance, including Mr Aylward's wife, Kathleen, and their four children.