asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the provisions of Article 28, Section 5, sub-section 1º of the Constitution, he will take such steps as are necessary to ensure that newspapers published in this country will not refer to him by any title other than that specifically laid down by the Constitution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Titles of Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
Article 13, Section 1, sub-section 1º of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of the Taoiseach and where the expression first occurs, describes the Taoiseach as "the Head of the Government or Prime Minister".
Article 28, Section 5, sub-section 1º of the Constitution again uses the same descriptive expressions and, while providing that "the Head of the Government, or Prime Minister," shall be called the Taoiseach, states that he is "referred" to in the Constitution by that title.
The expression Prime Minister and its Irish equivalent Príomh-Aire are to be found in the index to the official copies of the Constitution.
In these circumstances, while the legal title of the holder of the office is the Taoiseach, the alternative descriptions—Head of the Government, Prime Minister, Príomh-Aire—which are employed in the Constitution can also be used, provided they are not used in any way derogatory of the office, the holder of the office or the Irish language. It must be left to the sense of propriety of the newspapers in which these expressions are employed to ensure that such alternative descriptions are not so used. I personally believe that they are not.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the practice which has grown up with certain newspapers of referring to the Taoiseach other than by the title given to him by the Constitution is interpreted by many people as an attempt at reflection on the national language?
I do not know what interpretation can be put on the use of the expression in newspapers, but I do not think it is intended as such by the newspapers in question. I think the explanation that I have given ought to make the matter clear now, and I believe that the alternative expression would not have been used in the Constitution if it was not intended that it should be employed.
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that a certain newspaper has made a practice of referring to the Tánaiste as Deputy Prime Minister; and if he will state whether he proposes to take any steps to discourage the newspaper in question from continuing this practice.
The expression "the Tánaiste" is not defined in the Constitution save by reference to the functions to be discharged by the member of the Government who is nominated by the Taoiseach to be the Tánaiste.
It must be left to the sense of propriety of the newspaper in which the expression Deputy Prime Minister sometimes occurs to ensure that its use cannot be regarded as depreciating the office, the holder of the office or the Irish language.
Is it not correct that there is no authority in the Constitution for the use of the term "Deputy Prime Minister"?
Yes, the Deputy is quite correct.