Accountants present McCreevy with Lifetime Achievement Award

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) has presented its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Charlie McCreevy FCA.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented by the council and president of the institute and is a public recognition by the Institute of the contribution made by individual members to public and business life in Ireland.

The award was presented to the Commissioner at ICAI’s Annual Dinner in the O’Reilly Hall last night.

Commenting ICAI president, Martin Wilson, who presented the award to the Commissioner, said: "There will be many chartered accountants who deserve such an award but few will have had the impact on public and business life as Charlie McCreevy first as Minister for Finance and now as European Commissioner.

"Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1973 and Mr McCreevy’s wheel has now turned full circle as the European 'supremo' for accounting, auditing and corporate governance issues.

"As Minister for Finance he presided over a period of historic prosperity. He has always spoken his mind and few doubted his candour. He is an exemplary chartered accountant and a worthy first recipient of this new award.”