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

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to my Confidential despatches of the 3rd August¹ regarding the appointment of Irish Free State Ministers at Paris and Berlin.

2. His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have given careful consideration to the wording of the Note used in notifying the proposed appointment of an Irish Free State Minister to Washington, and have come to the conclusion that to be in accord with the conclusions of the Imperial Conference 1926 considerable amendments are necessary.

3. While they are in favour of the closest co-operation between the British Ambassador and the Irish Minister in all matters that may be deemed to be of common interest or of interest to more than one Government of the Commonwealth of Nations, they feel that all matters whatsoever that may affect the interests of the Irish Free State should be dealt with by the Irish Minister. Furthermore, they are satisfied that the conclusions of the Imperial Conference agree with their point of view in this matter. That being so, it appears that Paragraph 2 of the Note should be deleted, as it tends to imply that matters of Irish concern should be taken out of the hands of their Minister.

4. As the words 'only' and 'exclusively' in the fourth and ninth lines of the first paragraph of the Washington Note obviously have reference to the second paragraph which should now be deleted, His Majesty's Government consider that those words should also be deleted as being no longer necessary.

5. Being anxious to proceed with the creation of the posts in Paris and Berlin with as little delay as possible, they would be glad if His Majesty's Government in Great Britain would intimate their concurrence in these views at the earliest moment.