Sir, – It was wonderful to see our athletes embracing the welcome home ceremony but these athletes are deserving of a more permanent memento for their magnificent achievements. The absence of an honours system means the State has no effective mechanism for acknowledging their outstanding success and the joy they brought to all of us. It has been argued that an honours system is anathema to a republic where all citizens are equal but this argument does not stand up to scrutiny when an honours system, despite its faults, exists in both France and the United States. Outstanding achievements simply deserve to be rewarded.
There is the very real and bizarre prospect that some of our athletes, while representing Ireland, will be rewarded by the UK for their achievements while this State cannot similarly honour their success. Although probably too late for these athletes, an honours system should now be considered by the Citizens’ Assembly. – Yours, etc,
PAUL WALSH,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.