NOTE:

The attached rough preliminary draft of Terms of Reference was prepared today on the instructions of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach approved of its terms and consulted the Ministers for Supplies and Agriculture both of whom agreed. A copy of the document was handed by the Taoiseach to the Minister for Supplies with an intimation that it was to be regarded as constituting the Terms of Reference of the Irish delegation. A copy had previously been forwarded to the Minister for Agriculture.¹

Rough Preliminary Draft
Trade Discussions with British Ministers
Terms of Reference

To discuss with members of the British Government the various points which have arisen in the course of recent trade discussions between officials of the two Governments, and, provided that arrangements satisfactory to the Irish Government can be made, to negotiate a trade agreement or trade agreements covering the following matters and any matters ancillary thereto:-

1. The disposal on the British market of Irish agricultural products.

2. Supplies of fertilisers, feeding stuffs and other products which form the raw materials of the agricultural industry.

3. Supplies of raw materials for our manufacturing industries.

4. Supplies of essential commodities, including manufactured goods, which we cannot produce ourselves.

5. Provision of foreign exchange.

6. Bulk purchases and chartering of freight.

7. Independent purchases and chartering of freight.

It is understood that no agreement will be entered into in respect of any matter comprised in the scope of the negotiations which would have the effect of prejudicing the position of this country as a neutral in the present European War or could reasonably be regarded by any of the belligerents as affording ground for an attack on this country.