Letter from Seán Moynihan to Maurice Moynihan (Dublin)
(F. 200/2/47)

I am directed by the Minister for Finance¹ to refer to Mr. O Cinnéide's minute (S.13983) of the 7th instant² relative to the question of terminating the national emergency which exists by virtue of a resolution passed by each House of the Oireachtas on the 2nd September, 1939.

In reply, I am to say the Minister considers that in the unsettled conditions prevailing at present it cannot safely be assumed that legislation of an emergency character, depending for its validity on Article 28.3.3° of the Constitution, will not be required in the interval which must elapse before the return to normal conditions. If the resolution referred to should be rescinded it seems to the Minister that it could not be passed a second time in the absence of actual war or armed rebellion. Accordingly, the Minister would be averse to the termination, as yet, of the national emergency.