Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to Michael McDunphy (Dublin) enclosing a
memorandum on the draft Irish constitution
(Secret)

Dear McDunphy,

With reference to your telephone request, I send you herewith a copy of the Memorandum relating to the proposed new Constitution which the High Commissioner has been instructed to deliver to King Edward.

MEMORANDUM

The Government of Saorstát Éireann, in pursuance of their policy of establishing conditions for permanent peace and harmony amongst the Irish people and providing a more secure basis for friendship and co-operation with the people of Great Britain, intend, at the beginning of the Autumn session of Parliament, to introduce a Bill for the purpose of setting up a new Constitution. This Constitution will deal with the internal affairs of Saorstát Éireann, leaving unaffected the constitutional usages relating to external affairs.

Amongst the provisions of the new Constitution will be the creation of the office of a President elected by the people and the abolition of the office of Governor-General.

Eamon de Valera, President of the Executive Council and Minister for External Affairs of Saorstát Éireann, begs to submit, for the information of Your Majesty, the attached memorandum¹ concerning the intention of the Government of Saorstát Éireann to introduce a Bill in Dáil Éireann for the purpose of setting up a new Constitution.