03/11/2010

Patten Awarded Honorary Degree

One of the most popular British politicians to have been involved in Ireland has been given a university accolade.

British peer, Chris Patten received an honorary doctorate of laws at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin this week.

Last British Governor of Hong Kong, former EU Commissioner for External Relations, current Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Government-appointed overseer of arrangements for Pope Benedict's recent UK visit, Lord Patten was thanked "for his immense contribution to peace on our island" as well as for helping "the transformation of British-Irish relations" by UCD President Hugh Brady.

It was Lord Patten's "chairmanship of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland" which "perhaps more than any other of his impressive contributions earned Chris Patten the gratitude and respect of the people of Ireland", he said.

No one "could have predicted that in less than 15 years following the signing of the Good Friday agreement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland would have the backing of all parties in Northern Ireland", Dr Brady said.

Lord Patten said it was "a particular privilege" to receive such an honour, noting how his Irish ancestors had "fled famine and indignity for a new life in Lancashire".

(BMcC/GK)

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