Galway Co. Co. / Co. Secretary's Office / Administration/ Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann file dealing with the County Council's recognition of Dáil Eíreann (June 1920), and correspondence with Dáil Éireann, includes copies of resolutions passed relating to Dáil Éireann, such as recognising its authority (June 1920), and letters outlining various difficulties, financial and administrative, following the Council’s recognition of Dáil Éireann.

Includes notice calling special meeting to consider Circular letter from Dáil Éireann (Sept 1919), a proposal to have national 'Arbour day' holiday / re-afforestation of county (27 Aug 1919);

Letter from Galway City Sinn Féin Club (Thomas Ashe) regarding its members attending a County Council meeting (Sept 1919), copy of minute rescinding resolution of 3 May 1916 dealing with the 1916 Rising (Jun 1920);

a letter from Dáil Éireann, on headed paper, signed by Diarmuid O'hEigceartuig? regarding the authority of Dáil Éireann stating '…The necessary steps will be taken to have copies of this resolution transmitted to the Governments of Europe and to the President and Chairman of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America' (30 Jun 1920);

a letter from Secretary Galway County Council to Secretary Dáil Éireann, advising 'Minute no. 968 cuts off communication with the Local Government Board, but does not decide whether the regulations and orders of that Board under which the Council's business has hitherto been conducted are still to be observed.  Under the Orders referred to many proceedings of the Council require the sanction of the Local Government Board.  No instructions have been given to me as to whether such proceedings are to be carried through without any sanction in future, or, if sanction is to be sought, to whom I am to apply for it...

In view of Minute 996, which involves the whole financial work of the County Council, and of the other bodies financed by the County Council out of county Funds (Asylum, Board of Guardians, and Rural District Councils, County Hospital etc) the need for an immediate and clear decision as to future procedure is very urgent…

[The existing Security Bonds of the Collectors recite the condition of the Public Bodies Order relating to Rate Collection including the requirement as to fortnight lodgment by each collector of the County Council.  The effect of [alternation in] these conditions without the consent of the sureties, on the validity of the Bonds deserves careful consideration].

But meantime the business of the Council has to be carried on, and it is understood that it is the desire of Dáil Éireann that local administrative services should be maintained as efficiently as possible.  The County Council have three thousand miles of Roads on which there are from 700 to 1000 labourers employed under direct labour schemes.  These men must be paid every fortnight.  Paying Orders must also be issued to discharge remittances for the maintenance of the Asylum, Guardians, District Councils, payment for materials contracts, salaries etc.  To discharge these liabilities the Council issue approximately 25,000 Paying Orders addressed to their Treasurer every half year

The Council has now no Treasurer...'. (27 Aug 1920),

includes some shorthand and other annotations, including ‘Poor Rate is not to be lodged’, and also a letter from the County Accountant '…the effect on the finances of the County of the stoppage of Government Grants...' (23 Aug 1920).