Letter from Éamon de Valera to John A. Costello (Dublin)

A Thaoisigh a chara,
I have received your letter inviting me to participate in a series of broadcast addresses to be delivered on Easter Monday as part of the celebrations intended to mark the coming into operation of the Republic of Ireland Act.

We in Fianna Fáil are glad that henceforth there will be agreement amongst all parties in Dáil Éireann that the State shall be described as a Republic. We cannot convince ourselves however that the Act merits that its coming into operation should be marked by national celebrations. Indeed, when the Constitution came into operation in 1937, we decided that celebrations such as those now proposed ought to be reserved until the national task which we have set ourselves is accomplished. We still believe that public demonstrations and rejoicings are out of place and are likely to be misunderstood so long as that task remains uncompleted and our country partitioned.

I find myself therefore unable to accept your invitation.