Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act 1938

The Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act 1938 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Its purpose was to formally confirm and give legal effect to a set of agreements made between the British and Irish governments concerning a range of outstanding issues between the two countries. These agreements were significant in further defining the relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland following the establishment of the Irish Free State and its subsequent evolution into Eire (the Irish name for Ireland).

The Act ratified agreements covering aspects such as trade, finance, and defense. A key component was the transfer of control over the Treaty Ports – naval bases located in Irish territory that had been retained by the United Kingdom under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. The return of these ports to Irish sovereignty was a major step towards full Irish independence and neutrality.

The Act was instrumental in improving relations between the UK and Ireland in the lead-up to World War II, as it removed a significant source of contention and allowed Ireland to declare its neutrality during the conflict. The Eire (Confirmation of Agreements) Act 1938 remains a notable piece of legislation in the history of Anglo-Irish relations, marking a turning point in the transition towards a more equal and cooperative partnership.