Diarmuid O'Hegarty to F.B. Bourdillon (London)
(Confidential)

Sir,

I am directed by the Executive Council to refer to your letter of the 8th June¹ last enclosing a memorandum drawn up by the Boundary Commission on the subject of the taking effect of the Commission's decision when reached and to acquaint you for the information of the Commission, that my Government are advised that the Commission have no power under the terms of Article 12 of the Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland to postpone the effect of their determination and that, once the determination has been made, the Boundary, as so determined, becomes automatically the Boundary between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland for the purposes of the Government of Ireland Act and of the Treaty. It is understood that the British Government concur in this view.

It is proposed that a Conference should take place not later than October next between representatives of the two Governments for the purpose of considering the administrative and other arrangements which it may be necessary to make in order to enable the determination of the Commission to take effect with the least possible inconvenience to the public, and in the meantime the technical details of such arrangements are receiving a careful preliminary examination in the various departments concerned. A further communication will be addressed to you on this subject after the proposed Conference has taken place.

A copy of this letter is being sent to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs for the information of the British Government.