Re: CHAT: figureheads etc [WAS: Re: For information only !]

Stephen Mulraney wrote:

>
>>
>> Of course, Ireland is an example of a Parliamentary system with a
>> directly elected President - where the Taoiseach(Prime Minister) leads
>> the Executive.
>>
>
>
>
> ObUsage (ObRant?): "Prime Minister" for "Taoiseach" is more or less
> wrong. It's never used in Ireland, and sounds like nothing but a typical
> mistake by a foreigner (well, a British person, really ). Only after
> living in England for three years, have I come to condone it, and only
> because the misuse is so widespread here. If you really must use a
> generic title in place of "Taoiseach", then say "Premier", not "Prime
> Minister".
>
Well, the Taoiseach is a prime minister, but not a Prime Minister, if
you see what I mean.  Actually, looking it up, Article 28 of the
Constitution(or should that be 'An Bunreacht'?) - (Paragraph 5) says
'The Head of Government, or Prime Minister shall be called, and is in
this Constitution referred to as, the Taoiseach."  The Irish version,
which I believe has primacy, says  'An Taoiseach is teideal do cheann an
Rialtais, .i. an Príomh-Aire, agus sin é a bheirtear air sa Bhunreacht
seo.'  at a guess, not knowing any Irish - "The Taoiseach is the Head of
Government, or the Premier/Prime Minister, and will be referred to as
such in this Constitution"

Reply