Minute from Michael Rynne to Sheila G. Murphy (Dublin)
(305/25)

I am passing you this as directed by the Secretary (9th inst. above).¹ There are no useful obs. I can make at this stage, unless to draw your attention, in connection with the Secretary's second 'principle', to the preamble and Section 1 of the Statute of Westminster. You will see there that the Parliaments of all the Dominions must assent to any alteration in the law which defines the Royal Style and Titles. That law would probably be a UK law only but might, of course, be re-enacted in the Dominion Parliaments.

The Dominions (according to the Statute) include Ireland (the Irish Free State). It must, therefore, be borne in mind, when preparing a minute to the High Commissioners, that we no longer consider ourselves a Dominion (regardless of how the Dominions and Great Britain consider us) and that, accordingly, we should not feel entitled to give assent to - much less to legislate for - a new Royal title. Unless we make our position clear in respect of the Statute of Westminster, it may prove difficult for us to argue that the word 'Ireland' would now be inappropriate in the Title.

In other words, I am inclined to reverse the order of the Secretary's two principles - instead of saying 'Once you decide to drop the word "Ireland", you may go ahead with your changes without bothering about our assent', I should prefer to say, 'Make any changes you like, as far as we are concerned, because eleven years ago we relinquished our right to give assent in this matter for the same reason as will, we are certain, cause you to omit "Ireland" from the new title'.

This, in parenthesis, will not prevent us reserving our right to protest violently against the inclusion of Ireland in the new title!

You may think I am making a distinction without much difference: perhaps that is so. Nevertheless, I feel the slight difference involved is worth clarification.