Despatch from Patrick McGilligan to L.S. Amery (London)
(D.1983/3) (Confidential) (Copy)

Sir,

I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have come to the conclusion that the most effective means of strengthening the relations of the Irish Free State with Germany and of promoting her trade interests is by the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Berlin.

2. They feel confident that the appointment of an Irish Minister to Berlin will have the further effect of strengthening the friendly relations which exist between Germany and the British Commonwealth of Nations as a whole.

3. The Irish Free State Minister would deal with all matters relating to the Irish Free State and would be the ordinary channel of communication with the German Government on these matters. In this connection, His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State desire to invite attention to the second paragraph of Sir Esme Howard's Note to the Secretary of State of the United States regarding the appointment of an Irish Free State Minister at Washington. In their view the procedure outlined in that paragraph requires amendment to bring it into harmony with the present constitutional relationship of the Members of the Commonwealth.

4. I have the honour to request that you may be good enough to ascertain through the diplomatic channel if the German Government would receive a duly accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Irish Free State. No nomination has yet been made, but I hope to be able to submit a name when it is known that the creation of a Legation is acceptable to the German Government.