Executive Authority (External Relations) Act 1936

Executive Authority (External Relations) Act 1936
Be it enacted by the Oireachtas of Saorstat Eireann as follows : -

1. (1) The diplomatic representatives of Saorstat Eireann in other countries shall be appointed on the authority of the Executive, Council.

(2) The consular representatives of Saorstat Eireann in other countries shall be appointed by or on the authority of the Executive Council.

2. Every international agreement concluded on behalf of Saorstat Eireann shall be concluded by or on the authority of the Executive Council.

3. (1) It is hereby declared and enacted that, so long as Saorstat Eireann is associated with the following nations, that is to say, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, and South Africa, and so long as the King recognised by those nations as the symbol of their co-operation continues to act on behalf of each of those nations (on the advice of the several Governments thereof) for the purposes of the appointment of diplomatic and consular representatives and the conclusion of international agreements, the King so recognised may, and is hereby authorised to, act on behalf of Saorstat Eireann for the like purposes as and when advised by the Executive Council so to do.

(2) Immediately upon the passing of this Act, the instrument of abdication executed by His Majesty King Edward VIII on the 10th day of December, 1936 (a copy whereof is set out in the schedule to this Act), shall have effect according to the tenor thereof and His said majesty shall, for the purposes of the foregoing sub- section of this section and all other (if any) purposes, cease to be King, and the King for those purposes shall henceforth be the person who, if His said Majesty had died on the 10th day of December, 1936, unmarried, would for the time being be his successor under the law of Saorstat Eireann.

4. This Act may be cited as " The Executive Authority (External Relations) Act, 1936 ".