Letter from Seán MacBride to Lord Rugby (Dublin)

Dear Lord Rugby,
I have discussed with my colleagues the suggestion that we should have a one-day talk with members of the British Government concerning the whole question of trade relationship between Great Britain and Ireland on some date between the 20th and 30th of this month.

Generally speaking, we feel that it would be more satisfactory if we could arrange to have these talks at a date when more time would be available, so that we could conduct them and arrive at decisions on principles at Ministerial level and thus obviate the necessity for adjournments. I doubt very much that either side would be in a position to complete all the preliminary examination necessary by the end of April to enable comprehensive discussion on this level to take place. We are a very new Government and all our Departments are somewhat over-burdened with work of an economic nature in connection with the Economic Recovery Plan and our own Budget.

The talks could be delayed for some time were it not for the question of the differential rate of prices for cattle. This question does make it a matter of some urgency, as the allocations of cattle to foreign countries must be made within the next couple of weeks. Frankly, unless your Government is in a position to remove the present differential against our cattle we will have to sell elsewhere. For reasons which our Minister for Agriculture has explained, we are not anxious to do that, but would be left with no alternative.

In these circumstances it occurred to me that, without prejudice to the other matters which would arise in the course of the trade talks, it would be of mutual advantage that representatives of the British Government should have a talk with our Minister for Agriculture and myself on this net question of the differential as regards cattle on some date between the 20th and 30th instant. It is a net question which does not impinge on the other matters that require examination and, I fancy, that it is one that could be disposed of in a few hours. If this course were agreeable, we could then prepare for a talk on outstanding matters about the month of June or July.

I know that your Government was anxious to discuss the whole question of trade together, but I see no possibility of being able to do this satisfactorily in one day, at a time when both our Governments will be heavily preoccupied with many other matters.

In making the suggestion that the question of cattle should be taken up separately and immediately I am merely seeking to dispose of the immediate problem which I think is urgent from the point of view of both Governments. Accordingly, I should be grateful to ascertain the views of your Government as to whether this course commends itself to them, and as to whether they think any useful purpose would be served by a discussion on the cattle differential before the end of this month.