Eire Bill Passes Second Reading

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1948, Page 5

Eire Bill Passes Second Reading

DUBLIN, Fri. (10 a.m.)—The Dail unanimously passed the second reading of the Republic of Ireland Bill.

There was no demonstration. The committee stage is fixed for December 12. Mr Sean Macßride said it was hoped that the bill would come into ’ operation on January 21. Winding up the debate, Mr MacBride said the Chequers and Paris talks with British and Dominion representatives dealt exclusively with trade preferences and citizenship. There was no mention of alliances, or defence agreements. Citizenship legislation would be required in New Zealand, Australia and other countries, and he hoped that those countries would recognise Irish citizenship in their nationality laws.

The Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) had impressed by his high integrity and his understanding and approach to the problems which arose. Mr Macßride appealed to the Protestant minority in Eire to throw in their lot with the country and work in the common cause for its success.

DIPLOMATIC RIDDLE What Eire’s exact status in the Commonwealth will be after she becomes a republic remains a diplomatic riddle, says Reuters political correspondent. Mr Attlee’s statement in the House of Commons, according to political quarters, has created an unparalleled constitutional situation which, presumably, may continue indefinitely. The problem will arise only in the event of a claim by’a foreign country for privileges equal to those which Eire will continue to enjoy. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Mr Attlee’s statement indicates that a situation wholly without precedent in international lav/ will come into existence when the Republic of Ireland Bill is put into force. DEFIES DEFINITION Eire will not be a member of the Commonwealth, nor will she be a foreign country. Here the situation with respect to the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries defies definition. Beyond possible minor amendments to the British Nationality Act, no legislative action is contemplated by the British Government, but a new situation would be created if this novel relationship were challenged in the international field. The possibility of such a development may be raised in the House of Commons by Professor Savory, Ulster Unionist member for Belfast University, but it is unlikely that the Government will be committed to any statement on a hypothetical situation. DOMINIONS’ VIEWS The attitude of the Dominions tc Eire was the subject of messages received in London yesterday, as follows: Australia. —The Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) announced in the House ol Representatives that Irish citizens' ir Australia would not be regarded as foreigners, nor would Australia regard Eire as a. foreign country. The Australian Government deeply regretted that Eire’s association with Britain and the Dominions in membership of the British Commonwealth should be broken. Nevertheless, i< realised that this was a matter for the exclusive judgment of the Government and Parliament of Eire. > Mr Chifley also said that Australia wanted the word “British” retainec in the phrase “British Commonwealth.” NO ESTRANGEMENT South Africa.— The Government, in a statement, said South Africa welcomed the fact that in the proclamation of Eire as an independent republic there would be no estrangement between the two countries. South Africa was ready to recognise the republic when it came into being and woulcj make concessions regarding rights of citizenship on a reciprocal basis on the understanding that the existing position was maintained in ■the meantime.

India. —The Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) announced in the Assembly that India was prepared to exchange citizenship rights and privileges with Eire on a reciprocal basis.