The Taoiseach was tonight named European Statesman of the Year by a Brussels-based newspaper, the European Voice.
A Government statement said Mr Bertie Ahern won the award for work during the Irish presidency of the EU and for brokering agreement on the European Constitution.
"I appreciate the award because it honours me personally but also the tremendous success of the Irish EU presidency," the statement quotes Mr Ahern as saying.
The European Voiceis a leading weekly Brussels newspaper read by EU policy and decision makers.
Mr Ahern was one of 50 people honoured by a judging panel made up of the newspaper's senior editors and other EU advisors.
The award was accepted this week by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Martin and the prize money will be donated to Dublin's Central Remedial Clinic.
Mr Martin w as also named campaigner of the year in recognition of his part in bring in Ireland's smoking ban.