Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the instances since 2009 to date in 2020 in which consideration was given to 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, name of requestor, title or honour concerned and the decision by the Government to approve or not to approve in tabular form; the legislative instrument which ensures the practical application of Article 40.2.2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2709/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The reference in Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as 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 which are brought to the attention of Government. The table below lists instances in the period under review where the Government considered such awards. The recipients of the awards in each instance are dual Irish-British citizens.

On the other hand, awards which provide for the use of letters or marks of distinction after one's name; medals; ribbons; or academic honours are not regarded as conferring a title of nobility or of honour in this context.

In relation to the first six instances and the ninth instance 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 in 2014 before the conferral was brought to the attention of the Government in 2015. As no facility exists for retrospective approval, the Government took note of the granting of the awards and their acceptance by the Irish citizens concerned. My Department regularly informs the authorities of countries concerned that the prior approval of the Government should be sought in instances where substantive awards are to be conferred on an Irish citizen.

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.