Extract from a letter from George Gavan Duffy to Sean T O'Ceallaigh (Paris)

A Chara,
I have this morning received and thank you for your letter of February 1st.¹

I think it is quite necessary to establish the principle that the diplomatic members of a Delegation abroad, shall be directly appointed and removable by the Foreign Office. I have made enquiries, and, so far as I can ascertain, it is a universal practice both for diplomatic and consular appointments, in fact I am informed that ambassadors and consuls are not even consulted in practice as to those who shall work under them. This latter practice may be carrying the theory too far, but it is obviously necessary, in our case above all others, where we have so few suitable people, that all should be directly under and available to the Foreign Office.
[Matter omitted]