The 1999 ESB/Rehab People of the Year Awards were officially launched in Dublin yesterday by the chairman of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, Gen John de Chastelain. The nominating process will begin immediately.
The awards will be presented by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, at a ceremony in Dublin in November. Categories include Irish Person of the Year, Young Irish Person of the Year and International Person of the Year. Four award-winners will also be chosen from areas such as community service, arts and culture, peace and reconciliation, business, science and technology, sport and medicine.
Mr Stephen Farrelly, Rehab communications director, said for 25 years the People of the Year Awards had been the only means available for Irish people to publicly honour those who had made an outstanding contribution to society.
Mr Ken O'Hara, chief executive of the ESB, said members of the public were being invited to nominate people they thought were most deserving of Ireland's most prestigious awards.
Past winners include George Mitchell, Sophie McColgan, Veronica Guerin and John Hume.