Handwritten letter from + Wall to +McQuaid apologising for missing the meeting due to doctor’s orders.

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.

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.

Letter from +Ryan to +McQuaid stating he is in Ireland. He has been advised to rest by his doctor. The situation in his diocese in relation to education has become very serious. The new government is trying to nationalise everything. He hopes to discuss this with the Archbishop when they meet. 1 item

Typed letter from [ill.] to +McQuaid. A letter has been received 1959 From Miss Groothuizen of the ‘Grail’ about Dr. Zajac. Miss Groothuizen hopes the doctor might be allowed to stay in the Netherlands and that she can take a degree.

Typed letter to +McQuaid from + Staunton. His points include: the inclusion in the Health Bill of the freedom of choice of Doctor for maternity cases for cases other than maternity urges the formal inclusion of freedom of choice in the Bill as a moral issue

Note from + McQuaid to My Dear Doctor’ saying it was a wise decision not to publicise Grille.

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. 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.

• 5 November 1967 Letters from Cyril Daly to +McQuaid asking for his comments on his pamphlet A Catholic Doctor Talks To Young Men.