Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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460. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the instances, since 9 March 2011, where the Government considered a request by an Irish citizen to accept a title of nobility or honour, in accordance with Article 40.2.2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, by date of consideration; by name of requestor; by title or honour concerned; by the Government's decision to approve or not to approve, in tabular form; the legislative instrument that ensures the practical application of Article 40.2.2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The reference in Article 40.2.2^oof the Constitution to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as only referring to honours conferred by or on behalf of a sovereign authority, the recipients of which become entitled, by the law or custom of the foreign state in question, to use prefixes to their names such as “Sir”, “Dame”, “Lord” or "Marquis”.

It is these types of award that are brought to the attention of Government and the table below summarises the eight such instances that have arisen in the period under review. The recipients of the awards in each instance are dual Irish-British citizens.

On the other hand, an award which provides for the use of letters or marks of distinction after one's name, medals, ribbons or academic honours, is not regarded as a title of nobility or of honour in this context.

In relation to the first six instances summarised in the table below, the prior approval of the Government was sought and secured before acceptance of the title of nobility or honour by the Irish citizen concerned.

In relation to the seventh and eighth instances summarised below, the honours in question were extended to the Irish citizens concerned last year. As no facility exists for retrospective approval, the Government has taken note of the granting of the awards and their acceptance by the Irish citizens concerned and I have asked my officials to emphasise to the authorities of the countries concerned the importance on all such occasions for the prior approval of the Government to be obtained.

It is noted that rights, privileges or dignities deriving from the award of a title of nobility or honour subsist solely within the jurisdiction conferring it and any other jurisdiction that may recognise rights, privileges or dignities as flowing from it. Under Irish law such a title has no significance in terms of conferring rights, entitlements or dignities.