Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade subject to article 40.2.2 of the Constitution, if a title of nobility or honour which has been awarded to an Irish citizen has ever been approved by a Government of this State. [28144/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Since 2000, we are aware of eight cases where titles of nobility or of honour were conferred on Irish citizens by another State, one in 2001, two in 2005, one in 2008, two in 2013 and two in 2014. In all eight cases, we understand that the persons concerned were also citizens of the State conferring the awards. The prior approval of Government was sought and granted in all cases, except one. In that particular case, in 2005, the approach to the Department was made two days after the award. This approach referred to an earlier request in 2005 in which the Department had been asked to approve and had agreed to an honorary award for the person concerned. In the event, the honorary award was changed to a substantive one. While taking account of this background, the Department also emphasised to the Government concerned the importance on all such occasions for the prior approval of the Government to be obtained.