Letter from Pádraig Ó Cinnéide to all Departments of State and to Attorney General Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (Dublin)

I am directed by the Taoiseach to state that he desires to bring before the Government at an early date the question of terminating the national emergency which at present exists by virtue of a resolution passed by each House of the Oireachtas on the 2nd September, 1939, pursuant to the terms of Article 28.3.3° of the Constitution. So far as this Department is aware, there is not at present in operation any legislation of an emergency character which depends for its validity on the terms of the above-mentioned article of the Constitution.

The Taoiseach desires to have the views of your Department on this matter not later than the 14th instant as he wishes to bring it before the Government for consideration in time to enable him to answer a Dáil question relating to it, which is due for reply on the 22nd instant.