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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has received the prestigious Praeses Elit award from Trinity College Law Society.
The award was founded by former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson and former recipients include Cherie Blair, FW De Klerk, Mary McAleese and Sir Bob Geldof.
Receiving the award at a virtual Trinity Law Society event last night, Minister Harris said:
"I am deeply honoured to be receiving this award.
"I understand there are two reasons I have been nominated – one for my role in the pandemic response and one as a result of my new job.
"I am genuinely humbled to have played a role in our response to the first wave of the pandemic. I was a very small cog in a huge wheel and the real heroes of this pandemic are not those of us who hold office but the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, GPs, porters, healthcare assistants and staff who quite literally are putting their health and their wellbeing on the line to protect us.
"It was my greatest honour to be their Minister for Health.
"Unfortunately, this pandemic is still with us and is still bringing extreme and difficult days.
"It has offered us many incredible opportunities too. And that is where I believe my new department can play a role.
"The department’s title is long but its purpose is quite simple. It is a Department that offers opportunity, inclusivity and, critically, hope.
"This department is the gateway between education and the workforce. Between individual progress and economic progress. I will do everything in my power to address the youth unemployment crisis this pandemic has brought and equip this generation with the skills we need for the future."
The Trinity Praeses Elit is awarded by Trinity College Law Society to those who have advanced discourse in their line of work, and who have been a source of inspiration for young people everywhere. Recent recipients include Mary McAleese (2015), Jeremy Paxman (2016) and Sir Bob Geldof (2016).
ENDS