A chara, – Bernard O’Grady (October 21st) refers to one of the myths of Irish politics when he writes, “former taoiseach John A Costello took the Republic out of the Commonwealth in a fit of pique”.
In August 1948, Peadar Cowan asked Costello, in Dáil Éireann, how exactly Ireland had ceased to be a member of the Commonwealth.
Costello replied that it was “a gradual development, that Ireland had ceased to be formally a member but was associated with the other members which can be terminated by unilateral action”.
William Norton said, “it would do our national self-respect good, both at home and abroad, if we were to proceed without delay and abolish the External Relations Act”. Eamon de Valera commented, “Go ahead; you will get no opposition from us”.
Lord Rugby reported to the British government on August 16th, 1948, “ I have no doubt that it has been decided to repeal the Act. I expect this to happen soon after the reassembly of the Dáil in November”.
Later that summer and before Costello’s trip to Canada, the cabinet took the decision to so proceed.
When the Sunday Independent broke the story while Costello was in Canada, he had 48 hours to confirm or deny the decision. He choose to affirm it.
There are many stories surrounding Costello’s stay in Canada, but there was no fit of pique involved in the substantial decision. – Is mise,