Memorandum from Joseph P. Walshe to the secretaries of all government departments (Dublin)
(E.A. 189a/1927) (Copy)

The Minister for External Affairs directs me to inform you that on and from 1st May Despatches between the British and Saorstát Governments will pass between the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in London and the Minister for External Affairs instead of the Governor General.

There will be no change in the present arrangement for transmitting copies of Despatches to the Departments concerned, and as hitherto draft Despatches in reply should be submitted when necessary.

The form of the Saorstát Despatch will be slightly altered. It will be written in the first person for signature by the Minister for External Affairs. The phrase 'my Ministers' will, of course, be no longer used: 'the Government of the Irish Free State', 'His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State', may be referred to when necessary.

Communications to the Governments of other members of the British Commonwealth of Nations are now also sent direct to the Governments, and drafts should not be addressed as from Governor General to Governor General, but from this Department to the corresponding Department in the Dominion concerned.