Bunreacht na hEireann, the Constitution of Ireland, came into force on December 29 1937, following a plebiscite in July that year. It is the oldest republican constitution within the states that today are members of the EU.
I am one day less than four years younger than it.
The Constitution declared that the name of the State is Eire, or in the English,language, “IRELAND” and that declaration has never been amended. At the United Nations and its Security Council it is recognised as IRELAND.
In 1948 the Irish government declared that the State was a Republic. It did not change the name of the State.
I receive an Irish pension, and have just mailed a declaration to a Department of the State to confirm that I am still standing and entitled to continued receipt of it.
But the Civil Servants seem confused about the title of the State that pays them.
They asked me to address my declaration
to – Seirbhisi Leasa Shoisialai
An Roinn Coimirce Soisialai
Bothar an Cholaiste
Sligeach
Poblacht na hEireann F91 T384
or to – Social Welfare Services
Department of Social Protection
College Road Sligo
Republic of Ireland F91 T384
I mailed the declaration in English to the office in IRELAND.
I do hope it gets there. I can’t believe that those who heroically held the GPO through a week of shot and shell meant to cause such confusion in communications.
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