Red Cross chairman Andrews receives Legion d’Honneur

France has bestowed its highest honour on former Foreign Affairs Minister David Andrews, who is now chairman of the Irish Red Cross.

French President Jacques Chirac has conferred the Legion d'Honneur on Mr Andrews, who will receive the award at an upcoming ceremony in Paris.

The Legion is the French equivalent of the more well-known honours handed out by Britain's Queen Elizabeth to leading businessmen, politicians, entertainers, sportsmen and other figures in public life.