Louise

Healy

HE is known the world over for his outspoken views, but when Bob Geldof arrives in Dublin this weekend he has been advised to keep his opinions to himself.

The Boomtown Rats star will be back on home turf this Sunday to pick up the Freedom of the City award from Dublin City Council for the work he has done to raise awareness of famine and his campaign to alleviate Third World debt in Africa.

And while everyone loves Bob for his impulsive outbursts, it seems that the city council won't be having any of the anti-poverty campaigner's antics.

When Geldof was initially proposed for the accolade six months ago, certain councillors were reluctant to give the rock star the award in case he used the ceremony as an opportunity to hit out at the Government's failure to uphold its commitment to contribute 0.7pc of Gross National Product (GNP) to overseas development aid.

And while the Dubliner has told the council that he is extremely honoured to receive the award, it seems that city chiefs are still anxious about what might happen when the singer gets in front of a microphone.

Officials from the council have been in touch with Geldof about 'protocol' for the ceremony and have told him his acceptance speech is to be no longer than three minutes.

"We've been through protocol," said a council spokesman. "He's not going to be controversial."

The Freedom of the City award will also honour the work Geldof has put into organising the original Live Aid concert and the Live 8 concerts around the world.

He will be sharing this year's award with Irish runner Ronnie Delaney - 50 years after his triumph in the 1,500 metres final at the Melbourne Olympics.

More than 500 guests are expected to attend the ceremony which will take place outside the Mansion House in Dublin. Dawson Street will be closed for five hours while the ceremony takes place.

Both Bob Geldof and Ronnie Delaney will be presented with official Freedom of the City commemorative scrolls and custom made Waterford Crystal globes of the world. On Geldof's Waterford Crystal globe-shaped award, the continent of Africa will be highlighted to represent his work in promoting the humanitarian effort there.

Olympic rings will cover the globe that will be presented to Ronnie Delaney to show the achievements he made in Irish running throughout his illustrious career.

Bob Geldof and Ronnie Delaney now join U2, Mother Theresa, Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev and Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi as freemen.

Privileges attached to the award entitle recipients to bring goods into Dublin without paying customs duties and to graze sheep on St Stephen's Green. Bono memorably brought spring lambs to the Green when U2 were granted the award.