Aide-Mémoire to British Government
(Confidential) (Copy)

The Government of Ireland have given careful consideration to the Aide-mémoire presented to the Taoiseach by the British Ambassador on the 18th January, 1956.¹

2. It is noted that the British Government have studied with care the statement made by the Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann on the 30th November, 1955.² Taken as a whole, that statement is a full exposition of the Irish Government’s views and policy concerning the use of force for the ending of Partition. There is ample evidence that it was immediately endorsed by public opinion in this country and that it had helped to lessen the risk of a recurrence of such incidents as the attack on the police barracks at Rosslea.³
3. The preservation of peace in Ireland is an object of vital interest which demands and receives the unremitting attention of the Irish Government. It is equally true that the Irish Government, no less than the British Government, would deplore any deterioration in the relations between the peoples of these neighbouring islands. It is their earnest desire that the good relations existing between Ireland and Britain shall continue, notwithstanding the existence of Partition and the difficulties to which it inevitably gives rise.
4. The policy of the Irish Government towards organisations that advocate or are responsible for the use of force is based on their concern for the maintenance of peace within Ireland and of good relations with Britain. Measures which may be required here to give effect to that policy are for determination by the Irish Government, in the light of their experience and judgment and in discharge of their responsibility to Dáil Éireann – a fact which is recognised in the Aide-mémoire presented to the Taoiseach. The situation created by Partition is of so delicate a character that any error in respect of such measures might have the most regrettable consequences. Repressive action taken in a disproportionate degree or at an inappropriate time would be such an error.
5. The Government’s attitude towards the suggestion of liaison between the Irish and British police forces was explained by the Ambassador in London to then Lord Privy Seal on the 14th September, 1955, in relation to the Note dated the 19th August conveyed to the Taoiseach by the British Embassy in Dublin. Briefly, that attitude is that the Government could not allow information to be furnished about Irishmen already apprehended or being actively sought in connection with armed political activities and could not accept any responsibility or commitment in regard to the intentions of unlawful organisations, which are, of their nature, secret.
6. In confirmation of what was further stated by the Ambassador on the occasion referred to, the Government desire to make it clear that if, in any particular case, it comes to their knowledge that preparations are being made here for armed operations elsewhere, they will take all the practical steps within their power to obviate the risk and to prevent the attempt being made.
7. The government’s inability to accept any particular suggestion as to steps that might be taken by them implies no modification of their resolve to use, if necessary, all the powers and forces at their disposal to bring armed activities effectively to an end.
8. The Government do not accept the statements, contained in the Aide-mémoire, concerning the incident at Rosslea. They do not, however, feel themselves called upon to make any detailed comment on those statements, which, in any event, relate to matters that arose before the date of the Taoiseach’s speech in Dáil Éireann.