A chara, – Your news report provides a timely reminder of this Government’s promise to hold a referendum on extending the franchise for presidential elections (Shauna Bowers, “Diaspora group calls for immediate change to voting rights for Irish emigrants”, News, April 30th).
In light of the coronation that is about to take place in the United Kingdom, I would suggest one slight addition to this planned amendment.
Article 12(1) of the Constitution gives the President’s title as “Uachtarán na hÉireann” (President of Ireland). I propose that since Article 12 is already going to be amended, the opportunity should also be taken to add three letters to the end of the President’s title, so as to make it “Uachtarán na hÉireannach” (President of the Irish). Not only would this better reflect the role of the office and more clearly distinguish its title as Gaeilge from that of Taoiseach (which, strictly speaking, also means “leader” or “chief” of Ireland), it would also further contrast our elected head of state with the soon to be crowned “King of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms”.
Though small, this distinction between being the leader of a people rather than of a territory was considered significant enough that, after the French revolution, Louis XVI was forced to change his title to “King of the French”. This “popular monarchy” style was reintroduced in France again following the July Revolution, and is used today by the Belgian monarch.
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It is worth remembering too that the title “President of the Irish Republic” was the one originally used by Pearse and de Valera during the revolutionary period, and is similar to the titles officially used by the presidencies of France and Italy. – Is mise,
ALASTRÍONA NIC HOIRBÍN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.