Count George Plunkett to Eamon de Valera
(Copy)

A Chara Dil,
I am glad to have B.[ob] B]rennan]'s assistance, and he can more easily get at information for my work. Our Propaganda has necessarily been almost completely political, and this class of work is quite as much needed now as it was a year ago. Other and practical lines require to be taken besides, while abroad you occasionally find individuals familiar with Ireland. Most peoples have the vaguest notions about our country and ourselves, and even official circles (so badly does the Consular system work) know little about us beyond the 'news' and the obvious political issues. Hence we need to state the position and work of the National Government, and to give rudimentary information regarding our industrial life and resources for the enlightenment of foreign Governments.

I therefore would like to have short papers prepared, and translated into French. The first communiqué should be regarding the Declaration of the Republic, the election of Deputies, the summons of all to attend, including those elected in Ulster; their Pledge to the Republic, the formal session of An Dail, the election of President, appointment of Ministers, creation of Departments, the functioning of the Government, the work done regarding land, fisheries, shipping, emigration, Local Government, trade in general, envoys (consuls) and whatever else it is desirable to communicate about administration with a word, of course, to say that our national action was resisted with military force and brutal violence by England. But it should be emphasised that even by shootings and burnings, the arrest and imprisonment of a large number of Deputies - attempts having been made to arrest them all - and the deportation of thousands of citizens, and the suppression of freedom of speech and the press, the English Government had not been able to prevent the Parliament of Ireland from carrying out legislation, raising loans and taxes, administering justice, and working for the development of Irish resources and of trade, domestic and foreign.

In subsequent papers the question of demand and supply between us and foreign countries can be dealt with: the prospect of trade should open doors for us that otherwise would remain shut, and we could use the various foreign Ministers for the diffusion of our information and the acquisition of commercial knowledge of use to us - by this means we could pave the way for subsequent relations with other countries. Particulars of our imports would stimulate foreigners to try to 'knock out' England from our market, and to trade directly with us. And we have many things that the rest of the world wants.