Memorandum for Government by the Department of the Taoiseach 'Planning for a War Emergency'
(Secret) (Copy No. 17)

1. In view of the present international situation, the Tánaiste suggests that the Government should consider the question of measures of precaution against the dangers which would confront this country in the event of the outbreak of a world war.
2. The subject of military preparations is not included in the scope of this memorandum. Apart from such preparations, the matters which appear to require consideration may be broadly classified as follows:-
   1. The provision and control of essential supplies and services.
   2. Civil defence, including all measures calculated to minimise the destruction of life, property, documents and records, artistic and historical treasures, etc., and to enable the activities of the community to continue so far as may be practicable in the event of an attack by an enemy.
   3. The censorship of communications and publications, including postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications, wireless broadcasting, books, newspapers, periodicals, pamphlets, etc., films and plays.
   4. The maintenance of law and order and the control of the activities of aliens and of passenger traffic into and out of the State.
   5. The preparation of a scheme of regional administration which would be introduced if any part of the country were cut off from the seat of Government.
   6. Legislation and statutory instruments giving the powers necessary to deal with an emergency situation.
3. Some examples of particular matters included in the foregoing classification are mentioned in the appendix to this memorandum.
4. The following suggestions are offered as a tentative scheme of organisation for the initial planning of emergency measures:
   1. There should be a general emergency planning committee, presided over by the Taoiseach himself or by a member of the Government nominated by him, and including in its membership the Secretaries of all the Departments of State. This Committee would have the task of co-ordinating the work of the inter-departmental committees the establishment of which is suggested below, proposing specific matters for investigation by those committees and considering their reports. In addition, the general committee should initiate consideration of any matters not coming directly within the purview of any of the subordinate inter-departmental committees, such as the problems of staff and accommodation for emergency services, and suggest the most expeditious methods of having such matters examined. The general committee would report through their chairman to the Government, and, having secured specific decisions from them, would ensure that effect was given to the decisions as speedily as possible.
   2. There should be inter-departmental committees on (a) supplies, (b) civil defence, (c) censorship, (d) regional administration and (e) emergency legislation. Each of these should report to the general emergency planning committee.
   3. The committee on supplies should consist of officers from the Department of Finance, Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, Defence and External Affairs and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
   4. The committee on civil defence should represent the Departments of Finance, Justice, Local Government, Health, Education, Industry and Commerce and Defence.
   5. The committee on censorship should represent the Departments of Finance, Justice, Industry and Commerce, Posts and Telegraphs, Defence and External Affairs and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
   6. The committee on regional administration should represent the Departments of Finance, Justice, Local Government, Industry and Commerce, Posts and Telegraphs, Defence, Health and Social Welfare and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
   7. The committee on emergency legislation should represent the Departments of the Taoiseach, Finance, Justice, Industry and Commerce and Defence, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
5. As has already been indicated, the foregoing suggestions are merely tentative. If the Government decide that planning should be initiated, a meeting of Secretaries of Departments, presided over by the Taoiseach, might be held to consider what arrangements would be most expeditious and effective.
6. The Government are requested to decide whether arrangements should be made without delay for the planning of precautionary measures against the danger of the outbreak of a world war and, if so, whether a meeting of Secretaries of Departments should be summoned by the Taoiseach to consider what form the arrangements for planning should take.
7. The Department of External Affairs has no observations to offer on the foregoing except to suggest, as regards the tentative scheme of organization outlined in paragraph 4, that there should be an additional inter-departmental committee, representing the Departments of Justice, Defence and External Affairs, on security measures (the internment or control of undesirable aliens, counteracting the activities of foreign agents, etc.).

Appendix to Secret Memorandum for the Government
dated the 27th September, 1948
Preparations for a War Emergency
Examples of Matters requiring Consideration

1. A detailed survey by the Supplies Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce of the position in respect of supplies of all essential commodities.
2. The examination of various means of accumulating reserve stocks of essential commodities and of arranging for the maintenance of supplies in the event of war.
3. A special review by the Department of Agriculture of the measures that would be necessary (a) to maintain and, so far as possible, to increase the home production of food and animal feeding-stuffs, (b) to maintain and regulate our export trade in agricultural produce and (c) to regulate the importation and distribution of agricultural requisites such as fertilisers, seeds and agricultural machinery and implements.
4. The acquisition of more ships.
5. The dispersal of stocks to lessen the danger of total loss.
6. Preparations to introduce at short notice further controls in such matters as rationing and the regulation of prices.
7. The preparation of schemes for the evacuation of the larger centres of population, the transport of evacuees to reception areas, their accommodation and the provision of essential services in such areas.
8. The continuance of the education of children removed to reception areas.
9. The institution of methods of warning the public of attack by aircraft, &c.
10. The provision of shelters to be used by civilians in time of attack.
11. Schemes for rescue and demolition work, first aid, hospital treatment for those seriously injured, the provision of temporary accommodation and food for persons whose homes are destroyed, &c.
12. Provisions for an alternative seat of Government and for the transport thereto of the members of the Government and officials who should accompany them and of documents, records, stationery and equipment.
13. Provision of an alternative residence for the President.
14. Arrangements for the preservation of historical, artistic and cultural treasures such as the Cross of Cong, the Ardagh Chalice, the Book of Kells, paintings, statues, manuscripts, &c.
15. Arrangements for the copying and preservation of important documents and records.
16. The designation of persons to act in the key censorship posts and the provision of the equipment and apparatus required for censorship.
17. The scope and extent of the censorship to be imposed and the practical steps necessary to bring it into operation without delay.
18. The strengthening of the police force by recruiting additional full-time personnel and by organising a part-time auxiliary force.
19. The arrangements for the control of passenger traffic into and out of the State.
20. The areas into which the State should be divided for the purposes of regional administration.
21. The designation of officers to act as regional and, say, county administrators or commissioners.
22. The powers and functions that should be assigned to regional and other local administrators and their relations with local authorities, the local officers of the Departments of State, the Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the auxiliary defence services (Civil Defence services, &c).
23. The drafting of legislation conferring on the Government the necessary emergency powers and the examination in this connection of the Emergency Powers Acts, 1939-45, the General Elections (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1943, the Taxes and Duties (Special Circumstances) Act, 1942, the Customs (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1945, &c.
24. The question of introducing emergency legislation in advance of the outbreak of war and the examination of any constitutional questions involved.
25. The drafting of Orders to be made by the Government, Ministers, &c., immediately on the occurrence of an emergency and the examination in this connection of the Emergency Powers Order, 1939, and the various Orders made subsequently by virtue of the Emergency Powers Acts.