Confidential Report from Count Gerald O'Kelly de Gallagh to Joseph P. Walshe
(Dublin)
(144/29) (Confidential)

My dear Walshe,

Many thanks for your letter of 19th¹ re the designation 'Grande Bretagne et Irlande' as applied to the British Embassy. I did not make any actual representations to the Quai d'Orsay on the matter. What happened was that when the Chef de Protocole showed me the Liste diplomatique, he volunteered, of his own accord, that, now that there was going to be an Irish Legation, the title of the British Embassy would have to be altered so as to exclude Ireland. I confess I fell in gladly with his suggestion, but I wish to underline that I did not take any initiative in the matter. In view of your letter, however, I regret that I did not ask M. de Fouquières to do nothing in the matter for the present because I thoroughly agree that the term 'Irlande du Nord' is objectionable.

On receipt of your letter this morning I went down to the Quai d'Orsay and saw de Fouquières again and asked him what exactly was the procedure he proposed adopting. He said that when the Liste diplomatique was being revised in November, cuttings from the text concerning each mission would be sent to that mission for their corrections, and that he proposed pointing out to the British Embassy - on his own initiative - the misleading nature of its entry now that there was an Irish Legation in Paris. I told him that, on thinking the matter over I would prefer it if he could see his way to making no suggestion or comment when sending the list to the British Embassy, as this was after all a matter to be decided between Dublin and London and would be made the subject of a decision of principle applying equally to our other missions. M de Fouquières agreed at once and there the matter stands.

I find that the next Liste Diplomatique, proofs of which are to be sent out for revision in November, will not actually be published till January. I enclose herewith the page dealing with Britain. This might be useful to you should you desire to take the matter up yourself with Whitehall while in London. I think it is highly desirable that the matter should be settled definitely before the publication of the next list. If no action is taken by you it is quite possible that the British will themselves adopt the form 'Grande Bretagne et Irlande du Nord' and if once we are faced with the fait accompli in the first Liste Diplomatique appearing after the creation of a Saorstát Legation in Paris, it will be much more difficult to obtain an alteration to suit us in subsequent editions. I would very much like to be informed of your views on the subject. I sent a copy of my letter of 17th to Bewley and Binchy² for information, but have wired to both today to consider my letter non avenue in case it should have inspired them to action.

I shall be more than careful in the future in dealing with any matter which might affect our relations with Britain.