Press release
Minister Coveney launches Volume XII of Documents on Irish Foreign Policy
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Today Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D. officially launched Volume XII (1961-1965) of Documents on Irish Foreign Policy.
In launching Volume XII, Minister Coveney said:
“Volume Twelve of Documents on Irish Foreign Policy covers themes that resonate across the decades to the heart of contemporary Irish foreign policy. These include Ireland’s activist role in the United Nations, the growing significance of European integration to Ireland and our progress towards membership of the then EEC. With the meetings of Taoiseach Sean Lemass and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Captain Terence O’ Neill, it also saw the establishment of a rolling agenda of cross-border co-operation which continues today. Volume Twelve will be a valuable resource for us all for many years to come.”
Dr Michael Kennedy, Executive Editor, Documents on Irish Foreign Policy at the Royal Irish Academy said:
‘Documents on Irish Foreign Policy is an essential source through which to explore modern Irish history. By publishing the texts of Irish diplomatic documents DIFP allows readers explore the history of Ireland’s foreign relations through original historical documents. It shows how Ireland’s diplomats ensured and enhanced Ireland’s place amongst the nations of the world.’
To mark the official launch, a video featuring archival footage from this period can be viewed on the DFA YouTube Channel:
This video will include extracts from the book as well as footage from Ireland’s first term on the UN Security Council (which coincided with the Cuban Missile Crisis); the passage of the landmark UN “Irish resolution” on nuclear non-proliferation (which laid the foundations for the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty); efforts to secure Irish membership of the then EEC; the visit and death of US President JFK; Irish troop deployment to Cyprus; the repatriation of the remains of Roger Casement; and the seminal meetings between An Taoiseach Seán Lemass and Northern Ireland’s PM Terence O’ Neill.