Memorandum by John Leydon on co-operation with Northern Ireland
(Secret)

Mr. Jenkins telephoned to me today about the question of arranging a meeting to discuss matters arising out of the Trade Agreement with particular reference to the question of co-operation between the Government here and the Government of Northern Ireland. I told him that since we had previously discussed this matter the position could scarcely be said to have improved from the point of view of the atmosphere which would be necessary in order to promote co-operation on the part of the Northern Government. I told him that I did not myself feel that there is anything to be gained by my going to London at the present stage.

He then went on to say that, while he recognises the difficulties from the point of view of the Belfast Government, he thought it would at any rate be worthwhile to keep on trying and he asked me whether there would be any use in his coming to Dublin. I told him that, of course, we should be very glad to see him if he came here but that the important thing was to see cooperation from the Northern Government. He said he fully recognised this and he then suggested that he should go to Belfast in the first instance and endeavour to see some of the Northern Ministers and if possible bring Mr. Scott to Dublin with him. I agreed that it might be worth trying and that in any case it did not seem to be likely that such a course would do any harm. Mr. Jenkins said that he would in that event arrange to go to Belfast about the beginning of next week and come to Dublin on the 31st January. I told him that I would arrange to hold myself at his disposal if he comes.