Letter from Seán MacBride to Éamon de Valera (Dublin)
(Copy)

Dear Mr. de Valera,
In informal conversations, I have outlined the importance to be attached to contacts at Parliamentary and other non-Government levels between Ireland and other countries. I am writing this letter for the purpose of making clearer the proposals I had in mind, to achieve this purpose.

There are a number of International Organisations, mostly of a Parliamentary nature, in existence for the purpose of promoting understanding and contact at non-Government level between different countries. These Associations are promoted in every country on a non-party basis, i.e., they include members of all parties. Such associations usually hold an Annual Conference in different countries at which each nation is represented by a delegation. In addition, they sometimes promote special exchanges of delegations to discuss special topics. These conferences provide a forum for an interchange of views on various problems.

International contacts are of tremendous importance to us, particularly in the present situation. Our main aim, of course, is the undoing of Partition; our first task in this connection is to make our view-point known and understood by the peoples of other nations - including Britain. International exchanges, while essential, do not provide an adequate means of informing public opinion in other countries. Public and private discussions at inter-Parliamentary Conferences provide a most useful medium through which very influential opinion can be reached and informed concerning partition. In addition, personal contacts formed at such conferences are of value.

In Ireland, we have had relations with two different Parliamentary Associations, the 'Inter-Parliamentary Union' whose membership embraces representatives of all countries, and 'The Empire Parliamentary Association' whose membership has hitherto been restricted to parliaments of the Commonwealth countries.

Opinions have differed widely as to these two bodies; this divergence of views was sharpened by political difficulties arising from the character of the latter body. In the result our participation in neither body has been as active and effective as it might have been, with the result that the opportunities of gaining understanding and sympathy, which participation in such an organisation affords, have been, to a large extent, lost. Lack of funds also restricted our participation in the activities of both bodies.

The difficulties which in the past stood in the way of full participation in the activities of the Empire Parliamentary Association, as it was then known, have disappeared. In the first place, its name has been changed to 'Commonwealth Parliamentary Association' and its rules have been amended to provide for the admission of countries that are not in the British Commonwealth of Nations. The alterations in the rules have been devised for the purpose of enabling in particular the United States and Ireland to participate. By reason of the very close association we have with such countries as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa, I feel that affiliation with this Association is of very positive value, and has a special interest for us.

To obviate double individual membership and administrative difficulties, I had in mind the formulation of an Irish Parliamentary Association which would be formed on a non-party basis and which, I hope, will include all members of the Dáil and Senate. The function of such an Irish Parliamentary Association would be:-

• to affiliate with the two existing international Organisations referred to above;
• arrange for the sending of Parliamentary Delegations from Ireland to inter-Parliamentary Conferences;
• arrange for the reception and, if necessary, entertainment of visiting Parliamentarians from other countries.

If general agreement is forthcoming for such a proposal, the Ceann Comhairle could be invited to arrange a meeting of all Members of the Dáil and Senate, and of the Officers of the Committees of the existing Parliamentary Associations for the purpose of forming the proposed Irish Parliamentary Association. Rules could then be drafted and adopted. If effect is given to this proposition I believe that I would be in a position to secure an annual grant to the Irish Parliamentary Association for the purpose of defraying some of the expenses involved in affiliating with the international bodies, in sending delegations abroad and in providing entertainment for visiting Parliamentarians.

Questions of details no matter how troublesome could, I feel, be settled if general agreement could be reached on the desirability of such inter-Parliamentary contact.

There is another matter upon which I should also be glad to receive your views, it is in connection with the sending of a Delegation from Ireland to a Conference in Toronto due to be held next September under the auspices of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs. I feel that in connection with this conference we would derive benefit by sending a delegation and, accordingly, I should be glad if you could let me know whether Fianna Fáil will be prepared to nominate one or two delegates to attend this Conference.

If at all possible I am anxious to have your decision in relation to these matters as soon as possible, so that the necessary arrangements may be made. If general agreement can be secured concerning the formation of an Irish Parliamentary Association a small representative committee could prepare draft rules immediately; I could make available an Officer in my Department to assist in this task.