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

Dear Mr. de Valera,
I am in receipt of your letter of to-day's date.¹

As you have realised, there are sound national reasons why I have so far refrained from making any public statement with regard to the Bill introduced into the British Parliament purporting to confirm the Partition of our country.

You are doubtless aware that the Minister for External Affairs has been in London for the past few days. He is expected to return late tonight. He has already on our behalf made contact with the British Prime Minister and, as I believe, with the British Foreign Secretary, so as to put beyond doubt our opposition to the proposed legislation.

Until the Government have had an opportunity of hearing and considering the report of the Minister for External Affairs on his interviews with British Ministers it would obviously be inappropriate for me to make a statement.

I therefore propose to make a statement at the meeting of the Dáil on Tuesday next.

As suggested by you I shall arrange to convene a meeting of the Anti-Partition Sub-Committee at the earliest possible moment.