General directions to each representative of the Irish Republic abroad

Correspondence You will please note that henceforward all letters, papers and documents sent by you for consideration by the Ministry are to be directed to this Department. Only matters intended for the personal consideration of the President are to be addressed to him.

In letters to this Department it would be of advantage if matters concerning merely routine work of the office were sent on one sheet and those concerning policy or communications conveying information to the Ministry on another. Reports You are expected to furnish once a month to the Ministry a report: (a) on the work and activities of your office and its effect (b) a general report on the country in matters affecting our position and the International situation. Expenditure You will furnish quarterly an estimate of expenditure for the ensuing quarter. This estimate will include: (a) an estimate of running expenses based on your present expenditure, (b) a sum to be available for contingencies, (c) a sum covering any extensions you may propose or recommend. It is to be clearly understood that no expenditure in any new scheme or extension is to be undertaken without the sanction of the Ministry. If it is necessary to draw on the sum (b) which will be placed at your disposal, sanction should if possible be had beforehand. If such is not possible you should report to this Office at once that the contingency sum has been drawn on and state to what amount. Accounts You will furnish this Office with a monthly balance sheet showing expenditure and balance in hands.

Policy In all matters concerning the policy of the Irish Republican Government you are requested to study closely all pronouncements of the Ministry, Dail decrees, and interviews by the President or other Ministers, full copies of which will be supplied to you from time to time from this office. As to the best means to forward our cause, you will have of necessity at times to depend on your own judgement, but so far as you possibly can you should obtain the advice of the Ministry beforehand as to the course of action you should pursue in the event of such and such a contingency arising.