it does not affect
the necessity of functional representation and functional responsibility
in the State. It is, for example, absurd that persons unfamiliar with
architectural problems, however highly placed in the nation they may be,
should be entrusted with architectural decisions that require special
training and knowledge. It is equally absurd that a person unfamiliar with
the needs of the Fishing Industry should, because for political reasons he
should happen to be chosen as Minister of Fisheries, make proposals and be
responsible for decisions that affect the present livelihood of fishermen
and the successful future of the Fishing Industry. These matters must be
reposed in the care of representative Functional (Occupational or
Vocational) Councils, that should be required to render account, on the
one hand, to the Function which they represent, and, on the other hand, to
the State on behalf of that Function.

When such an organisation of the social and economic life of the Nation
has been achieved, then, and only then, will it be possible to say that
all parts of the life of the Nation have been brought within the reach and
authority of the Constitution. It may be objected that these matters lie
in the future. That is true. The Constitution allows for them, and by
allowing for them indicates that they should be, and probably will be, the
natural development of the future of the Irish Nation.

Draft Constitution of the Irish Free State

PRELIMINARY.

These presents shall be construed with reference to the Articles of
Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland set forth in the
Schedule hereto annexed (hereinafter referred to as "the Scheduled
Treaty") which are hereby given the force of law, and if any provision of
this Constitution or of any amendment thereof or of any law made
thereunder is in any respect repugnant to any of the provisions of the
Scheduled Treaty, it shall, to the extent only of such repugnancy be
absolutely void and inoperative and the Parliament and the Executive
Council of the Irish Free State shall respectively pass such further
legislation and do all such other things as may be necessary to implement
the Scheduled Treaty.

SECTION I.--FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.

ARTICLE 1.

The Irish Free State/Saorstat Eireann is a co-equal member of the
Community of Nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations.

ARTICLE 2.

All powers of government and all authority legis