Once fashionable line of a politician in the Irish Republic (6)

I believe the answer is:

empire

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'once fashionable line' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both groups as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'a politician in the irish republic' is the wordplay.
'a politician' becomes 'mp' (Member of Parliament).
'in the' is an insertion indicator.
'irish republic' becomes 'eire' (synonyms).
'mp' put within 'eire' is 'EMPIRE'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for empire that I've seen before include "Corporation" , "The - Strikes Back, film" , "Group of states ruled by one monarch" , "Jurisdiction" , "Eg Holy Roman, British or Ottoman" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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