Letter from Stephen A. Roche to Denis J. Coffey¹ (Dublin)
(69/3070)

A Dhuine Uasail,
I am directed by the Minister for Justice² to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant regarding the offer which University College, Dublin, has decided to make of free attendance at lectures to a limited number of Austrian students³, [and to state that, as you are doubtless aware, the question of the assistance which could be afforded to German and Austrian refugees⁴ was the subject of an inter-Governmental Conference held at Evian in July last⁵. Ireland was represented at the Conference and the attitude of this country was made clear. It was explained that the Irish Government were in full sympathy with the objects for which the Conference was convened but that while Ireland remained a country of emigration it was obvious that we could make no real contribution to the resettlement of refugees, and that particularly on the professional side there was an existing problem of overcrowding.]⁶

The main difficulty in the way of accepting temporarily for purposes of study or otherwise, persons who desire to leave Germany and Austria is that once such persons emigrate, it is almost certain that their passports will be cancelled and their previous nationality withdrawn. When this happens it is impossible to secure their return to Germany or Austria and they may be unable to obtain permission to enter any other country. It follows that the admission of such persons for the purposes of study may involve their permanent residence in this country and once they have settled here permanently a strong case can be made against preventing them from practising in the professions for which they have qualified.

This must result in diminished opportunities for our own nationals - as the professions are already overcrowded (?)⁷

The Minister would not raise any objection to the admission of such persons for the purposes of study, [provided]⁸ adequate guarantees were given that on the conclusion of their studies they would be allowed to settle elsewhere. In practice, however, It is unlikely that any such undertaking will would be forthcoming or that if given it could be enforced.

In all the circumstances, The Minister regrets therefore⁹ that he cannot see his way to authorise the granting of visas to such students and he would prefer that no publicity should be given to the decision of the Governing Body to make the offer mentioned in your letter.