Printed for the Cabinet. May 1949
MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT 80
Page 178 .
SECRET
C.P.. (49) 128
28th May, 1949
CABINET
Copy No. 31
THE IRISH REPUBLIC AND NORTHERN IRELAND
NOTE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS
I circulate the following documents for the information of my colleagues: (1) an Aide Mémoire of 7th May from the Government of the Irish Republic
about the Ireland Bill (Annex A);
(2) an Aide Mémoire of 10th May, handed by the United Kingdom Repre- sentative to the Minister for External Affairs in the Government of the Irish Republic, in reply to (1) (Annex B); and
(3) a report from the United Kingdom Representative analysing the current
anti-Partition agitation in the Irish Republic (Annex C).
Commonwealth Relations Office, S. W. 1,
28th May, 1949.
P. J. N.-B.
ANNEX A
AIDE MÉMOIRE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC TO HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
1. The Irish Government have considered the provisions of the Ireland Bill " which was presented to the British Parliament on the evening of 3rd May, 1949, upon which date it was first published.
2. It is noted that the preamble to the Bill states one of its purposes to be "to declare and affirm the constitutional position and territorial integrity of Northern Ireland" and that Section 1 of the Bill contains a provision declaring that "Northern Ireland remains part of His Majesty's dominions and of the United Kingdom" and "that in no event will Northern Ireland or any part thereof cease to be part of His Majesty's dominions and of the United Kingdom without the consent of the Parliament of Northern Ireland."
3. Immediately following upon its publication, Mr. MacBride conveyed verbally to the British Government the objections of the Irish Government and the strong resentment which this measure would arouse.
4. The Government of Ireland now wish again to register their emphatic and solemn protest against the re-enactment by the British Parliament of Legis- lation purporting to confirm the unjust partition of Ireland and to convey to the British Government the deep resentment which this step has evoked among the Irish people at home and throughout the world.
5. The British Government deep concern and indignation with the Irish Government and people.
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cannot have been unaware of the feelings of which these provisions would be viewed by When press reports first When press reports first puggestedgearly de
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January that legislation of this nature might be introduced in the British Parlia-