Letter from Seán Nunan to John J. Hearne (Washington DC)
(305/57/275 Pt. II) (Secret) (Copy)

We have given the most careful consideration to your secret minute of the 11th July,¹ and Mr. McCann’s report enclosed therewith, about Ireland’s position in relation to the Mutual Security Act of 1952. We have in particular noted the following points which emerged from the report:-

1. There appears to be no hope whatever of this country obtaining arms from the United States under the Mutual Security Act, save by making an agreement with the American Authorities in the same way as other countries receiving military aid.
2. There is only a remote possibility that Ireland might qualify for an allocation of aid for the continuation of the technical assistance programme, but the cost of this programme is calculated at only £350,000 or say, a $1 m., and it would hardly be worth making a claim under the Act for this sum alone.
3. An appeal for funds to the Mutual Security Agency could possibly involve the setting up of an MSA Mission in Dublin.
4. The object of the special provision of the Mutual Security Act, 1952, under which we might have claimed, namely, Section 7(i), is apparently primarily intended to enable countries on the borderline of the Iron Curtain to accept aid without endangering their independence.

Primarily for the foregoing reasons, the Minister is of opinion that no aid should be sought for Ireland under the Mutual Security Act 1952. He has advised other interested Ministers accordingly.

The sequence of thought which led to this conclusion is indicated in the enclosed Memorandum² which was prepared in this Department on the basis of your report and which is being sent to you for general information and guidance. One consideration which is not mentioned in this Memorandum but which was adverted to before the opinion stated above was finally adopted, is that dealt with in paragraph 8 of Mr. McCann’s report, namely that a grant of aid under the 1952 Act would probably be regarded by the US authorities as a resumption of the aid suspended last January and would probably mean quicker and possibly more favourable consideration for the proposals for the utilisation of Grant Counterpart Funds which have already been submitted to the American Government. It was not felt, however, that this consideration materially altered the conclusion contained in the Memorandum.

We should be glad to have any comments you or Mr. McCann may desire to make on the foregoing and your views generally on the question of Mutual Security aid. You will, no doubt, keep the Department fully informed of any developments which might appear to justify a re-examination of the decision conveyed in this minute.