Letter from Timothy O'Driscoll to Seán MacBride (Dublin)

Minister,
I submit for discussion a first draft of a Memorandum for the Government¹leading up to the appointment of an Inter-Departmental Working Group to look into the economic and financial aspects of the removal of Partition. The case for: is that the information is needed so that we can assess the position and possible action and also so that we can have material to use as propaganda.

Against: objections could be raised on the score of the complexity of the task, its premature timing and the need to concentrate all attention on the removal of the Border.

The general impression may well be that the removal of partition would involve economic disadvantages for both sides and that confirmation of this impression by any official though 'secret' body would be very dangerous. It does seem desirable, however, to view the position realistically - within the walls - and consider remedies.

It is visualised in the suggested Terms of Reference that the Working Group would present interim reports and so show early results.