I understand from Mrs. Kerney that you have informed her that the Minister is now willing that I should proceed to Ireland for the purpose of spending a limited period of leave there if, in my opinion, there is no likelihood of anything serious happening to Frank RYAN during my absence.

I am satisfied that everything possible has been done to assure Ryan's safety and that his life is now no longer in danger; as you know, steps have been taken with a view to obtaining his liberation by way of exchange, but, whatever the developments may be in this direction, any rapid arrangement is out of the question.

As regards O'TOOLE¹, nothing more can be done at the moment, and I have faith in the assurance given to me that, in any event, this boy's life is not in danger. There is nothing else, as far as I can judge, to make my absence at this moment undesirable, and I consider that the two matters above referred to will not be prejudiced in any way by my absence.

[matter omitted]