Minute from Frederick H. Boland to Leo T. McCauley (Dublin) concerning Breton nationalists in Ireland

We find ourselves placed in rather a difficulty. In the past, the French Government behaved very decently to our people acting as representatives of the Irish Republic in France. It would be a poor way in which to requite the hospitality which France gave us if we were now to harbour people whose aim is to effect the dismemberment of France!

On the other hand, it can be said with equal force that we - who made so much use of the territory of other countries for political action - should be the last people in the world to refuse the same facility to people desiring to do the same thing on our territory.

The only firm ground on which to take our stand is that a primary condition of permission to reside in this country is the abstention from political activity of all kinds directed against foreign countries. If we don't insist on that in the case of these Bretons, we will find ourselves in a serious difficulty with people of other nationalities, and the point is of special importance at the moment, now that we are being more liberal about the admission of aliens to the country. It is all very well for big countries to give asylum to the representatives of small nationalities struggling for their independence. Small countries can't count on being able to get away with the consequences of similar generosity.

I think, therefore, we should ask the Department of Justice to tell these people that if they are to stay in this country, it is on condition that they refrain from all forms of political propaganda or agitation. I think it would be well, too, if the Department of Justice were to make it known that they will not be prepared, in future, to extend permission to reside in this country to further Breton nationalists who arrive here clandestinely.