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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Genealogical Service.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

726 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position in relation to the grant of the title The McCarthy Mór by the Genealogical Office; her views on the process by which recognition was granted in 1992; if a decision has been arrived at in relation to an alternative recent claim; if she will make a statement on the doubt which has been cast in a recent article on the process by which the title of The Maguire and Prince of Fermanagh are being used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18010/99]

I wish to inform the Deputy of replies that the Chief Herald made to inquiries on this matter on the advice of the Attorney General's office in which he stated that: the 1992 decision to grant courtesy recognition to Mr. Terence McCarthy as MacCarthy Mór is to be regarded as null and void; the decision in 1979 to ratify and confirm arms to Mr. McCarthy must be regarded as invalid; and the pedigree registered for Mr. McCarthy in 1980 is without genealogical integrity. The foregoing decisions were notified to Mr. McCarthy's solicitor and the records of the Genealogical Office have been amended accordingly.

I understand that the claim of Mr. Barry Trant McCarthy for recognition as MacCarthy Mór is still under consideration. I am arranging to have a statement which the Chief Herald issued in August of this year forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. In the light of this case it is clear that the process by which recognition was granted was flawed, and there has to be a possibility that other "recognitions" granted in the 1980s and early 1990s may also be flawed.

In view of the foregoing I agree with the view of the Chief Herald that there should now be a comprehensive review of the procedure introduced in the 1940s, whereby courtesy recognition of chiefs of the name is granted by the Genealogical Office. I am considering how best to proceed with structuring such a review given my other plans to advance as soon as possible the National Library's transition to autonomous status under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997.

In regard to the courtesy title of Maguire of Fermanagh, I understand the allegations about the validity of his recognition have been widely circulated via the Internet and otherwise. I also understand that the Chief Herald has advised the holder of that courtesy title that he is having these allegations reviewed with a view to deciding what action, if any, should be taken.

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