Most entertaining, this Gerry Adams business. He may deny that he is now the Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead but if he ain’t then he hasn’t resigned as an MP. And if he is a paid officer of the Crown he would seem to be playing fast and loose with the Irish constitution. This may not surprise you or anyone else. However the constitution plainly states:
Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead is probably noble enough to count as a title and certainly some kind of honour, even if mainly a ceremonial one.40.2.2: 1: Titles of nobility shall not be conferred by the State. 2. No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.
Since I rather doubt Mr Adams sought governmental approval – hell there’s scarcely a government from which to seek approval – it would be nice to think that this material breach, thrust upon him as it may be, would scupper his campaign to seek election to the Dail.
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