Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Government's policy on the use of foreign-bestowed, non-elected titles, such as 'Sir' and 'Dame'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55481/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As outlined in my reply to Questions Nos. 34 and 35 of 6 December 2023, 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 reference 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”.

Government policy remains that under Irish law, such a title has no significance in terms of conferring rights, entitlements or dignities. Any 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.