Saor Éire

Dáil Éireann
Proclamation

April 27th 1923

The Government of the Republic anxious to contribute its share to the movement for peace, and to found it on principles that will give Governmental stability and otherwise prove of value to the nation, hereby proclaims its readiness to negotiate an immediate cessation of hostilities on the basis of the following :

1. That the sovereign rights of this nation are indefeasible and inalienable.

2. That all legitimate governmental authority in Ireland, legislative, executive, and judicial, is derived exclusively from the people of Ireland.

3. That the ultimate court of appeal for deciding disputed questions of national expediency and policy is the people of Ireland—the judgment being by majority vote of the adult citizenry and the decision to be submitted to, and resistance by violence excluded, not because the decision is necessarily right or just or permanent, but because acceptance of this rule makes for peace, order and unity in national action, and is the democratic alternative to arbitrament by force. Adequate opportunities and facilities must of course be afforded for a full and proper presentation to the Court of all facts and issues involved, and it must be understood that 1 and 2 are fundamental and non-judicible.

4. That no individual, or class of individual, who subscribe to these principles, of national right, order and good citizenship can be justly excluded by any political oath test or other device, from their proper share and influence in determining national policy, or from the councils and Parliament of the nation.

5. That freedom to express political or economic opinions, or to advocate political or economic programmes, freedom to assemble in public meetings, and freedom of the press, are rights of citizenship and of the community which must be not abrogated.

6. That the military forces of the nation are the servants of the nation and, subject to the foregoing, amenable to the national assembly when freely elected by the people.

We are informed that many in the ranks of our opponents will accept these principles, as we accept them. If that be so, peace can be arranged forthwith.

We hope that this advance will be met in the spirit in which we make if, and that it will be supported by all who love our country and who desire a speedy and just ending to the present national troubles.

As evidence of our own good-will, the Army Council is issuing herewith an Order to all Units to suspend aggressive action—the Order to take effect as soon as may be, but not later than noon, Monday, 30th April.

Dublin. 27th April, 1923

EAMON DE VALERA.
President.