FORMER US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are to be given the freedom of Dublin.
A majority of Dublin city councillors backed Lord Mayor Brendan Carr's proposal at a meeting on Monday night.
Mr Carr said the award would "make a clear statement about what example we would wish the paramount global political leader, who is whether we like it or not the US President, to set in international relations".
"I believe Barack and Michelle Obama did set the right direction for the US both domestically and in international relations of seeking to build a cohesive and inclusive society which respects all its constituent communities," he said.
A meeting will be held with officials from the US Embassy in Dublin and Mr Carr said he is hoping a visit could be organised by the end of this year.
Mr Carr hailed President Obama's achievements during his eight years in office, including winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, ending US military operations in Afghanistan and beginning the process of better relations between the US and Cuba.
He also praised Mrs Obama for her campaigns on widening women's access to education throughout the world.
Mr Carr added that he was concerned by President Donald Trump's actions since last month's inauguration, including his travel ban on citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
"Regardless of councillors' political affiliations, I believe that we are united in opposing President Trump’s attempt to make the world a more xenophobic, intolerant and unstable place," he said.
Mr Carr said President Obama had followed the example of John F Kennedy by establishing "new possibilities and hope for many minority communities around the world of what can be achieved".
"They also sought to foster a positive relationship between Ireland (a country which both of them have connections to through their ancestors) and the US," he said.
"Honouring them with the highest award we can grant – the Freedom of Dublin City - would reflect our shared commitment to a vision of a more tolerant world."
