Circular from Frederick H. Boland to all missions

I am directed by the Minister to request you to be good enough to seek a personal interview with the Foreign Minister, at your earliest possible convenience, and to present to him an official Note, in the terms of the enclosed draft,¹ informing him of the date fixed for the entry into operation of The Republic of Ireland Act and of the arrangements proposed in connection therewith.

As you will see, the second paragraph of the Note states in general terms the nature and effect of the principal change made by the Act, viz., that all the usual functions of a Head of State so far as the conduct of external relations is concerned, will in future be discharged, so far as this country is concerned, by the President. Beyond making sure that this is clearly understood, it is not necessary to enlarge on paragraph 2 of the Note in talking to the Foreign Minister. It is better not to enter into any explanation of the nature of the position which existed prior to the enactment of The Republic of Ireland Act.

The decision not to regard the entry into operation of the Act as requiring the re-accredition of diplomatic representatives is in line with what was done when Spain and Italy were declared Republics in 1936 and 1946, respectively.

Paragraph 3 of the Note, however, is relevant only in the case of Irish Heads of Missions who are accredited as Ministers Plenipotentiary. It should be omitted from the text of the Note by Heads of Missions who are Chargés d'Affaires. In the case, however, of countries in which we are represented by an Irish Chargé d'Affaires, but which are represented here by a Minister Plenipotentiary, the paragraph will need to be included; with the total omission of the last sentence (beginning 'I should be grateful, etc.' and ending 'in the new circumstances') in the case of the Argentine; and the substitution of the words 'Mr. Murphy' and 'his' for the words 'me' and 'my' in the latter part of the sentence in the case of Belgium.

Mr. Costello's statement, of which the text is attached to the Note, will be found at col. 383 of the Dáil Debates for the 24th November, 1948, vol. 113, No. 3.² In speaking to the Foreign Minister, it is not necessary to add to the terms of paragraph 4 of the Note, but, if he should enquire the precise significance of the declaration of policy referred to, you should reply that it lies in the fact that we do not intend, notwithstanding the change and the fact that we are no longer a member of the Commonwealth, to regard Commonwealth countries as 'foreign' countries or Commonwealth citizens as 'foreigners' in Ireland. If you considered it necessary to illustrate the point, you could refer to the fact that, even since The Republic of Ireland Act was passed, Orders have been made by the Government under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1935, extending to the citizens of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand rights similar to those enjoyed by Irish citizens in those countries. As you know, each of the countries referred to has enacted legislation putting Irish citizens, for all intents and purposes, on the same basis as their own citizens.

In presenting the Note to the Foreign Minister, the Minister would be glad if you would elaborate, in whatever way seems to you best, the sense of the final paragraph of the draft, and suggest to him that the Government would appreciate it if a message of congratulation and goodwill were sent to the President by the Head of the State to which you are accredited on the 18th April. That date will be a day of national celebration here; no doubt, messages will be sent by several Heads of States; and the Government is naturally anxious that appropriate messages should come from all the countries with which we are in diplomatic relations.

I should be glad if you would send the Department, in due course, for the record, a duplicate copy of the Note which you address to the Foreign Minister. You will, no doubt, also send the Department, as soon as possible, a report of your interview with the Foreign Minister.