Volume 8 1945~1948


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 406 NAI DT S14134A

'Discussions with British government, September 1947'
Notes for draft agenda prepared by Seán Lemass

Dublin, 16 September 1947

INDUSTRY

  1. Irish Industries, which ordinarily obtained fuel and materials from Great Britain before the war, should now be treated on the same basis as British industries in the allocation of fuel and materials.
  2. Restrictions on the importation into Great Britain of Irish industrial products should be removed.
  3. Plant and machinery etc. should be made available without restriction for Irish industries engaging or proposing to engage in export business.

AGRICULTURE

  1. Irish farm products should be purchased in Great Britain at the same prices as British products.
  2. Farm equipment and fertilisers ordinarily imported from Great Britain should be allocated to Ireland on the same basis as Great Britain.

QUERIES:
The British may possibly raise some or all of the following matters:-

  1. Removal of restrictions on emigration, with particular reference to recruitment for coal mines.
  2. Curtailment of Irish consumption of meat (i.e. rationing) to increase exports to Great Britain.
  3. Similarly, curtailment of home consumption of eggs.
  4. Confining cattle exports to Great Britain.
  5. Curtailment of home consumption of industrial products to increase foreign exports. Stimulating, assisting or requiring Irish industries to increase foreign exports.
  6. Combined purchases of overseas supplies.
  7. Curtailment of production of luxury or non-essential goods.
  8. Trade agreements on barter basis.
  9. Industrial Development policy.
  10. Customs Union.