Handwritten minute from Thomas V. Commins to William P. Fay (Dublin)

Please see the Ambassador’s letter of 30th June, filed across.¹

As you know, the question of this State contributing to the erection of hostels in Britain for the housing of Irish distressed persons has come up more than once and it has always been our policy to avoid the incurring of any such commitment on the part of the State. As the Ambassador states, there is no doubt that if we were to accede to Mr. Greaney’s² appeal, we would be inundated with similar requests from innumerable sources – requests which we would be unable to resist.

I think therefore, that, while the Ambassador may be unable to dissuade Mr. Greaney and friends from coming to Dublin to put this request to our Minister and/or the Minister for Finance, he should make it clear to him (Mr. Greaney) that there can be no question of the State contributing in the [***]³ suggested. It would of course be quite open to Mr. Greaney in co-operation with the Church authorities here to endeavour to have money raised in this country by voluntary subscription, and this suggestion might be made to him. I feel however, as I have said, that the Ambassador should express himself in quite categorical terms to Mr. Greaney before the latter comes here, that there is no possibility of this Govt. giving a grant, such as he suggests.