Letter from Frank Aiken to Gerald Boland (Dublin)
(Copy)

I have your letter of the 2nd instant¹ concerning the application for a certificate of naturalisation made by a German named Werner Unland.

At the outset, let me say that I am still of the opinion that Unland is not the type of person upon whom Irish citizenship should be conferred, and I am not in favour of granting his application. I do not favour the conferring of Irish citizenship upon any person solely on negative grounds, e.g., that he has not engaged in political activities (inimical to the State) or that there is no suggestion that he is not of good character; but I feel strongly that an applicant should have shown by some positive acts – such as, for instance, exhibiting an interest in the language, culture, etc., of our country – that he is worthy of citizenship.

In view of Unland’s activities as a German agent during the war, I think we have been very generous to him in permitting him to take up permanent residence and earn a living here, and I think he should be satisfied with that. I am not at all anxious to find myself in the position of issuing an Irish Passport to him which would enable him to go to Germany perhaps to link up again with some of his former associates and get into trouble with the present German Government. I might then find myself called upon to give him diplomatic protection and I certainly do not want to be put in that position.

As to embarrassment being caused vis-á-vis the British by Unland’s naturalisation, I think it would not be to our credit to go back on the categorical assurance given to Lord Rugby² only four and a half years ago. But, if, after considering my views above, you still desire to confer Irish citizenship on Unland, I am prepared to consider that aspect of the question.