Letter from Lieutenant General Peadar MacMahon to Seán Murphy (Dublin)
(S/502) (Personal)

On the instructions of our Minister we are at present examining the question as to what legislative and other action would be necessary before the Defence Forces or any part thereof could participate in a United Nations International Force such as that at present being sent to Egypt. To assist us in this consideration it occurs to me that the Irish Delegation at present attending at the United Nations Assembly could, perhaps, obtain quite a lot of very useful information in regard to the establishment and administration of the Force, including information as to the nature of the individual commitments of the participating countries and personnel. In particular, it may be possible for the Delegation to obtain information in regard to –

1. The exercise of command as between the different forces involved;
2. whether the personnel are on active service in accordance with their own domestic legislation;
3. whether each soldier continues to be liable to the military law of his own country, or whether any common code has, or is being, evolved;
4. court-martial proceedings and confirmation and review of sentences (including death);
5. disposal of persons sentenced by court-martial to detention, imprisonment, etc.;
6. pay, clothing and equipment;
7. financial arrangements, e.g. whether each country is liable for the commitments in relation to its own troops or whether such liability is met from a central UNO fund;
8. civilian attachments, if any;
9. prisoners of war;
10. special requirements concerning:-
    1. troops – strength, type (infantry, artillery, etc.), organisation and weapons;
    2. rank of Commander of the Unit.
11. Accommodation and tentage;
12. responsibility for provision of medical treatment and evacuation of casualties and sick;
13. information on inoculation, special hygiene and sanitary measures;
14. Means of movement to Middle East;
15. types of vehicles required by Unit;
16. method of supply of rations;
17. responsibility for welfare, bathing and laundry facilities;
18. responsibility for provision of maps;
19. Chaplains.

In regard to the foregoing generally it may be possible for the Delegation to obtain also the latest recommendations of the Security Council Military Staff Committee in relation generally to the implementation of Article 43 of the Charter.

If you see no objection I shall be grateful if you will arrange accordingly with the Delegation. As the consideration of the matter is entirely exploratory at this stage you will, no doubt, ensure that any enquiries made will be conducted with the utmost discretion.