Joseph P. Walshe to Diarmuid O’Hegarty (Dublin)
(P/54/23)

A Chara,

KERNEY'S POSITION

With reference to the President's note to the Minister of External Affairs, I am instructed to state that our Representative in Paris is known to and recognised by the French Government and the British Embassy in Paris.

Consular powers have not yet been acquired by any of our Representatives but the question has been raised with Mr. Curtis and an early favourable solution is expected.

Mr. Murphy approached the French Government three months ago with a view to putting an end to Kerney's activities. While expressing readiness to assist the Free State Government in every possible way, the Quai d'Orsay officials told Mr. Murphy that it was unusual to take cognisance of foreign political agitators so long as their activities did not endanger the good relations between the French Government and the foreign Government concerned.

Kerney's consular and diplomatic powers are purely subjective. They interest nobody except the readers of the Parisian weekly funny Press. He is not received by the French Authorities.

The 'Irish and Foreign Trading Corporation' has only itself to blame for such accidents, if it addresses letters in English without indicating street or number to a City of over three million inhabitants.

The Minister will be very glad to give the President any further explanation should he require it.