Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to P.S. Murray¹ (Dublin)
including a draft reply to General George Franks²

Dear Mr. Murray,
The Taoiseach has spoken to me about the reply to General Frank's letter, and I attach a draft following the instructions he gave me.

Draft
The Taoiseach has instructed me to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 11th June, that he had not heard about the early arrival in the Six Counties of French refugees. With regard to your suggestion that the Irish Government should extend hospitality to groups of such refugees, the Taoiseach would like you to be informed that the British and American Governments have been made aware of our readiness to help in the succouring of refugees or in any other form of humanitarian work relating to the suffering of the peoples affected by the war. The Allied Governments have not so far found themselves able to accept any particular proposal made by the Irish Government, except that of giving shelter to refugees from Great Britain during the Blitz period.

It seems, therefore, more appropriate, in all the circumstances, to await a request from the Allied Governments should they consider it opportune to seek our aid.