Memorandum from Seán Murphy to John A. Costello (Dublin)

You have already stated in Dáil Éireann that Ireland is prepared to play its full part in the United Nations for the preservation of peace in the world.¹ The Minister for External Affairs in New York has repeated Ireland’s readiness to play that part.

I attach herewith the offers of support for the International Emergency Force from the members of the United Nations, from which it will be seen that Finland is the only new member who has offered to make any contribution.² You will note in Section 7 of the attached memorandum the conditions on which Finland is prepared to participate. We have made no offer to contribute towards this force and in this attitude we are in line with the other new members with the exception of Finland, who because of their association with the other three Scandinavian countries who have volunteered contingents may have felt more or less obliged to support that line. If it should be decided that Ireland should contribute towards this force it has to be remembered that an amendment of the existing law would be required to allow any contingent of the Irish Army to serve outside this country.