Extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Cabinet
'Trade Discussions with the British Government: Instructions to Delegates'
(GC 4/297) (Item 1) (S14134)

On the recommendation of the Taoiseach, it was agreed that the following instructions should be given to the officers of the Departments of Finance, Industry and Commerce and Agriculture who were going to London on Monday, 27th October, 1947, in connexion with the trade discussions with representatives of the British Government:-

'1. It is understood that the purpose of the visit is to receive the proposals of the British side. Discussion on our side should, therefore, be confined to
(a) pointing out any obvious defects in the proposals, from our point of view;
(b) seeking clarification of the proposals, where necessary; and
(c) if this, as is probable, should appear to be warranted by the character of the proposals, indicating that they are not likely to be acceptable to the Irish Government.
2. If the matter should arise, it should be made clear to the British representatives that no decision can be reached in regard to the restriction by us of expenditure of hard currency until the Irish Government has had an opportunity of considering the whole position in the light of any arrangements that may be made in regard to trade and supplies.'