Handwritten note to Doctor (Sheehy) from +McQuaid informing him that Mr. Haughey wants an answer on the draft.

Handwritten draft reply in +McQuaid’s writing. As a medical doctor O’Connell must know that the remedy lies in the avoidance of overcrowding , and as a public Deputy he will do all in his power to see that such situations are avoided.

Letter from Fr. MacMahon to Dear Doctor regarding the ‘Blue Sisters’ who want a place to worship in their private hospital.

Letter to ‘My dear Doctor’ from +Dunne stating his house was broken into and as a result he will be passing on items which belonged to Archbishop Walsh for fear he may be robbed again. Annotated by Fr. James Ardle MacMahon.

Letter from +John Henry King to +McQuaid enclosing a request (not there) on behalf of a priest of the diocese who was formerly a doctor in Kilkee. He is due to take up duty in the near future and asks the Archbishop to use his influence. Annotated by +McQuaid.

Letter from +Robinson to +McQuaid thanking him for undertaking the task of organising the celebrations at the Pro Cathedral on March 12th, marking the Pope’s anniversary. He is delighted that the President, Mr. O’Kelly, his wife, ministers and other guests will be in attendance. He has spoken to his doctor who has advised him not to attend as he has had another mild heart attack. He deeply regrets not being able to participate and hopes that the Archbishop and the Diocesan clergy understand the reason for his decision.

Three copies of a typed letter to the Taoiseach, Mr. Costello, from + James Staunton, Bishop of Ferns, Secretary to the Hierarchy, regarding the Mother and Child health service. They recognize that the proposals are motivated by the sincere desire to improve public health, but the Hierarchy must consider whether the proposals are in accordance with Catholic moral teaching. The following points were mentioned: the powers taken by the State are in direct opposition to the rights of the family; the right to provide for the health of children belongs to parents, not the State; it is not sound policy to impose a state medical service on the whole community; the right to provide for the physical education of children belongs to the family; gynecological care may be interpreted to include provision for birth limitation and abortion; the proposed service destroys the confidential relation between the doctor and patient.

Letter from Fr. M.S. McMahon to Doctor informing him that he had re- interviewed two young men who had been given permission to attend Trinity College. They are most grateful and will abide by the conditions imposed by the Archbishop.

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + Staunton, Ferns. He was unable to find any guarantee, as promised in the White Paper, that patients may select their own doctor and hospital. Without such a guarantee there would be complete socialization of medicine.

Typed letter to +McQuaid from R. Ryan, Arthur O’Hagan & Son, 9, Harcourt Street. He does not consider that it could be assumed that the Bill as drafted gives any right of choice to the mother regarding doctor or hospital. This is left for ‘regulations’ not yet in existence.