Minute by Maurice Moynihan (Dublin)

At 11 a.m. today, Mr. O'Driscoll, Department of External Affairs, conveyed to me, by telephone, the text of a personal message for the Taoiseach from the Minister for External Affairs, received in the Department of External Affairs this morning. The terms of the message are as follows:-

'Fail to understand British haste in wanting agreement for new Ambassador. Normally this could have awaited return of Minister responsible. Nominee seems steeped in Colonial Office tradition, but I fear we have no alternative but to accept. If you think it necessary to give agreement now, please do so. I am meeting Truman Friday by special appointment and will return Saturday. Newspapers here report that Liam "rebukes me" inferential on your behalf. Effect of this here unfortunate and if opportunity arises of correcting false impression created here by this report before I see Truman it would be helpful.'

Mr. O'Driscoll said that the foregoing message had been despatched 'yesterday some time'.

Mr. O'Driscoll went on to say that Mr. Tory, Counsellor of the British Embassy,¹ has been pressing hard for an early reply on the question of the Government's agreement to the proposed appointment of Sir Walter Hankinson as British Ambassador in succession to Sir Gilbert Laithwaite. Mr. O'Driscoll considers this 'rather mysterious'. Mr. Tory would like to be informed of the Government's decision by telephone - today, if possible - in advance of any communication from the Taoiseach to Sir Gilbert Laithwaite.

[matter omitted]