The following statement has today been issued by the Government Information Bureau, on behalf of the Department of the Taoiseach:-

The Taoiseach, who is at present in Paris on his return journey from Rome, has today sent the following message to His Excellency Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India:-

'On the historic occasion when the Constitution of the Republic of India comes into force I send you on behalf of my colleagues and myself warmest congratulations and good wishes for the future welfare and prosperity of your great country. Ireland has always looked with special sympathy and profound admiration on India's long and arduous struggle towards independence and shares today in your country's rejoicing'.