Republic Day Honours and Awards

On Republic Day each year, the President of Malta on behalf of the Government and people of Malta, pays public tribute to a number of Maltese citizens who distinguished themselves in different fields of endeavour, by appointing them to The National Order of Merit, or to the Xirka Ġ'?ħ ir-Repubblika, or by awarding them the Midalja għall-Qlubija or the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika. Nationals of other countries may be conferred with Honorary Membership of the Order or of the Xirka or may be awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on an honorary basis.

This year's Investiture Ceremony again took place at The Palace, Valletta, on Monday 13 December 1999, following the customary Ceremonial Parade held on the Palace Square.

During the Ceremony sixteen members were appointed to The National Order of Merit. The new Members of The Order included two in the grade of Companion, three in the grade of Officer, nine in the grade of Member, and two as Honorary Members. Nine other individuals were awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika. One individual was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on an honorary basis.

The Investiture Ceremony was the culmination of the process for the selection of the National Day Honours and Awards which this year started with a call for nominations made in October to which call a number of citizens responded by putting forward their nominations. Outstanding nominations from previous years were also considered.

A short biographical note on each of the twenty-six distinguished persons honoured this year appears in the booklet enclosed. A copy of the today's Government Gazette is also enclosed.