Former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds was honoured for his contribution to North-South political relations in Ireland and for his role in securing £8 billion of EU funds during his term of office, at the opening of the Humbert School in Co Mayo last night.
A presentation of a portrait of General Humbert was made by the Minister of State for Health and local TD, Dr Tom Moffatt (FF), who said Mr Reynolds had made a colossal contribution to the peace process and the creation of the "Celtic Tiger" economy.
In his address, Mr Reynolds said the US President, Mr Bill Clinton, had attributed his election to the support of the Irish in America.
Mr Reynolds said that when he first met Mr Clinton he told him the votes of 4.4 million Irish in America had impacted very positively on the Republican party.
From that moment on, President Clinton gave a commitment to work on Irish relations and a strong international bond had existed ever since.