Exchange of minutes between Michael Rynne (Dublin) and Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)

Secretary
I would be grateful if you could consider attached undated letter¹ and enclosures from the I.C.R.C. concerning Refugees and Stateless Persons, before we start making a new file for it. That is, if it requires a new file and does not have to be filed with the I.R.O. papers?

My own impression is that the I.C.R.C. is preparing to jump into the vacancy which will shortly occur when the I.R.O. goes out of business. If that should be the intention, we may find ourselves - as a State with a Red Cross Society affiliated to Geneva - in rather an awkward position. Hitherto we have been able to hold off refugees (especially stateless ones) because we have consistently refused to touch the I.R.O. but the situation will be less easy to handle if the I.C.R.C. takes over.

The letter (at 'A') seeks a report from our Government on its action on the Appeal (enclosed) which asks us if we are prepared to facilitate the I.C.R.C. to look after refugees and if we are prepared 'with a view to constructive action' to examine the financial aspects of the I.C.R.C.'s intervention, as proposed by them. Seeing that the I.R.O. was looking for an Irish contribution equal to almost the whole Estimate for the Department, we must expect the I.C.R.C. to seek about half that sum anyway.

Not having been a member of the I.R.O. (nor a party to the 'Declaration of Human Rights' mentioned in the I.C.R.C.'s letter) we have not much background for handling this Appeal. But, presumably, it may have to be considered by the Government? Or, at least, the Minister will have to reply to Mr. Ruegger's² letter?

Perhaps you would kindly advise as to the next step to be taken herein?

Dr. Rynne.
I feel we should send the International Committee of the Red Cross a formal acknowledgement of this communication containing an assurance that the matter will have the careful consideration of the Irish Government. The acknowledgement had better be signed by the Minister himself, I feel. The question of the action to be taken on the appeal is another matter. All our consideration of the refugee problem up to date has pointed to the conclusion that a small country like this, which has still a heavy emigration and is put to the pin of its collar to provide livelihoods for its own people, cannot reasonably be expected to provide homes and livelihoods here for refugees from other countries.