Note by William T. Cosgrave on matters relating to the Boundary Commission

So far as the Government is aware, no demand has been made from our side of the Boundary for inclusion in Northern Ireland. It is, I think, on record that Sir James Craig once said there was an area in Donegal which would demand to be transferred to Northern Ireland. The answer to the paragraph is that the Commission has no authority under the Treaty - which is the basis of its authority so far as Saorstát Éireann is concerned - to transfer any part of our territory to Northern Ireland. In this connection it might be well to summarise, briefly and cogently, a reasoned argument, on paper, pointing out that in any case there has never been any movement or demand from our side of the Border for transfer to Northern Ireland so that the matter does not appear to be practical politics.

It is a matter for consideration whether, without prejudice to our position under the Treaty, the Government are prepared to put on record evidence that no representation or claim has been made upon the Government, or come to their knowledge, showing any desire on the part of citizens of Saorstát Éireann to secede to Northern Ireland and that that exhausts the evidence which can be offered on this particular matter, while the evidence in support of the claim of portion of the population of Northern Ireland for transfer to Saorstát Éireann is considerable.

It is a question for consideration whether there is not a danger in allow-ing the Boundary to be decided on a religious census, as it might possibly be considered whether a change on our side might not be made on the same basis. The religion of the people certainly does not disclose the wishes of the inhabitants.