Extract from minutes of a meeting of the Informal Conference at Admiralty on Irish Free State Coastal Defence (Secret) (Copy No. 1)

   Mr. O'Hegarty replied that our Government's proposal was that they were prepared to take over and maintain the existing defences at Lough Swilly, Berehaven and Cobh. He further stated that, of course, the taking over of these Forts would involve the consideration of the means of providing the necessary trained personnel, and other important details, and would take some time.

Pound then went on to explain that what was really expected was that we would consider the question of providing a mine sweeping service for the approaches to Dublin Port and possibly for the coast from Dublin to Rosslare, or even if we could spend more money, on the scheme from Dublin to Cobh. He also referred to an Anti-Submarine Service, but explained that it was expensive, highly technical and difficult, and, therefore, not recommended as a Service to start with. He also stated that an Intelligence Scheme was a definite and very necessary part of Coast Defence, and went on to explain that what he referred to was a Coast Watching or Coast Guard Service, and pointed out how such a Service could be built up in connection with a Customs, Commercial Coast Watching and Life Saving Service. While Pound was explaining the various Services mentioned and their connection with and importance as a part of a Coastal Defence Scheme, he also made some vague reference to the question of whether we had not considered the fortifying of any ports other than those reserved under the Treaty, but made no attempt to further explain or develop the discussion of this particular proposition.

Mr. O'Hegarty then stated that it was understood that a discussion of the position of the Reserved Forts involved consideration of Article VII as well as Article VI of the Treaty, but went on to explain that to really consider the question of Coast Defence, it was necessary to consider the two Articles together and the question of Coast Defence could not be considered in full without considering the relation of the Forts at Cobh, Berehaven and Lough Swilly to it.

   Mr. O'Hegarty also explained in answer to Rear Admiral Pound's suggestions as to a Coast Watching Service that a Customs Watching and a Coast Life Saving Service already existed.

   Pound then replied to the first portion of Mr. O'Hegarty's statement by stating that his instructions not only did not empower him to discuss this question, but actually prohibited him dealing with it.