Brooke on De Valera “outrage”

Posted By: November 08, 2014

The Irish News November 8, 2014

On this day—July 6, 1944

The Northern Prime Minister, Sir Basil Brooke, in a statement to the press yesterday in reply to the speech of An Taoiseach (Mr. Eamon DeValera) delivered at the Fianna Fall Ard Fheis, said: “The people of Northern Ireland have always been uncompromisingly opposed to the inclusion of their country in an all-Ireland republic and Mr. De Valera’s speech is a twofold justification of their attitude.  Although Mr. De Valera declares that Eire is “an independent sovereign republic,’ he intends to continue the procedure by which the credentials of Eire’s diplomatic representatives are signed by his Majesty the King.

“It apparent, however, that if Mr. De Valera achieved his ambition of a united Ireland, even this tenuous link with the Crown would be severed.  Ulster would become part of an all-Ireland republic and Great Britain would lose the Ulster Bridgehead and would have near her western coast a country owing no allegiance to the Crown.”

Turning to Mr. De Valera’s reference to the use of force, the Stormont Prime Minister continued: “The second justification for Ulster’s attitude is Mr. De Valera’s statement that Eire would use force to coerce Ulster if it had the power.  It is Mr. De Valera’s endorsement of the police of armed force that has encourage3d the IRA to pursue its revolutionary activities which have so often resulted in violence and bloodshed.  But Ulster is not to be intimidated.  Though immovable in its determination to remain within the UK in full allegiance to the Crown, Ulster desires to live on good terms with its neighbor Eire, but Mr. De Valera and other advocates of force are the stumbling blocks to the amity which we in the North desire.”

Sir Basil concluded: “Ulster’s case against fusion with Eire could hardly have had a more effective, if unwitting advocate.”

EDITED BY EAMON PHOENIX