Legal description Names of the Irish state

an envelope office of revenue commissioners, stating no postage stamp necessary if posted in republic of ireland .

since 1949 republic of ireland act has provided republic of ireland (or poblacht na hÉireann in irish) legal description state. however, ireland remains constitutional name of state.

the constitutional name ireland used. however, legal description republic of ireland used when disambiguation desired between state , island of ireland. in colloquial use shortened republic .

this distinction between description , name , remains important because act not constitutional amendment , did not change name of state. if had purported so, have been unconstitutional. distinction between description , name has caused confusion. taoiseach, john a. costello introduced legislation explanation of difference in following way:

if name costello , description of senior counsel, think clear wants know...[similarly, state s] name in irish Éire , in english language, ireland. description in english language republic of ireland.

many countries include reference republic in names including french republic , italian republic . in contrast, other republics, ireland , hungary not so.