Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the procedures regarding Irish citizens accepting knighthoods or OBEs from the British Government; and if there are any restraints on these outside awards. [18944/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Article 40.2.2° of the Constitution states that "No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government". The interpretation by the Office of the Attorney General of this article has been that a title is an award that entitles the recipient to use a prefix such as "Sir" or "Lord" before his or her name. An award which provides for the use of letters or marks of distinction after the name such as OBE or MBE is not regarded as a title of nobility or of honour in this context.

It is the normal protocol for a foreign Government which wishes to make an award to an Irish citizen to inform the Government and any such requests are considered on a case by case basis to see if they are subject to Article 40.2.2° of the Constitution. Most of these requests are of a routine nature and in the absence of any constitutional or legal requirement are dealt with at official level.