Material relating to the Health Scheme, 1948-1952, includes:

Copy letter of An Taoiseach, John A. Costello, Department of An Taoiseach addressed to Dr Noël Browne, TD, Minister for Health, - 'As I indicated to you yesterday afternoon I am gravely concerned at the contents of the letter dated 8th March which His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, wrote to you consequent upon your sending His Grace a Pamphlet on the proposed Mother and Child Health Service, 15 March 1951.
...
I understand that you have not replied to His Grace's letter. I am afraid do not appear to realise the serious implications of the views expressed in that letter since you have, by advertisement and otherwise continued to publicise the Scheme to which objections have been taken. Such action might well seem to be in defiance of the Hierarchy.
...
I have no doubt that all my colleagues and, in particular yourself, would not be party to any proposals affecting moral questions which would or might come into conflict with the definite teaching of the Catholic Church. Having regard to the views expressed in the letters received from the Hierarchy I feel that you should take steps at once to consult Their Lordships so as to remove any grounds for objection on their part to the Mother and Child Health Service and to find a mutually satisfactory solution of the difficulties which have arisen'.

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