Extract from minutes of a meeting of the Executive Council (C.2/148)

BOUNDARY COMMISSION

(a) Hearing of Consel.

It was reported by Dr. MacNeill that the Boundary Commission intended to visit certain districts in Ireland within the next few weeks, and the Minister for External Affairs ¹ undertook to take up with the Revenue Commissioners and the Military and Police authorities the provision of customs facilities for the party in crossing the Border.

A letter from the Secretary to the Irish Boundary Commission ² was read. It was noted that a sitting for the purposes of hearing Counsel would be held at 11 a.m. on the 4th instant. Consideration was given to the hope expressed by the Commission that Counsel will be in a position to inform the Commission of any suggestions which the Government of the Irish Free State may have to make as to the manner in which the wishes of inhabitants may be ascertained by the Commission.

It was decided to represent (a) that the wishes of the inhabitants should be ascertained by means of a plebiscite, (b) that the persons entitled to express their opinion should be residents who were 18 years of age in December, 1921, (c) that a register ad hoc of such persons will require to be prepared and (d) that the Unit should be the Poor Law Union.

On the question of the plebiscite area it was agreed that the Government might consent to the exclusion of Co. Antrim and Belfast City.

(b) Irish Representative on the Secretarial Staff.

Professor MacNeill reported that Mr. Justice Feetham had objected to the appointment of an Irish representative on the staff, and read a letter which he proposed to address to Mr. Justice Feetham on the subject.³

He will consult the Attorney General ⁴ as to the terms of the letter before sending it.