The bishops of Ulster had identified the danger of eight Ulster constituencies falling under Unionist control if the nationalist vote was split between the National Party and Sinn Féin.  AS the representatives of both parties  had failed at conference to resolve the issue,  Cardinal Michael Logue was requested to intervene and prvide guidance. His statement follows :-

The Lord Mayor of Dublin has handed to me the written consent of the members of the conference of the Ulster seats, presided over by his Lordship. The consent, which is signed by Messrs. John Dillon and John McNeill, agrees to refer to me the allocation of the eight seats undernamed, and each of the signatories undertakes that the full influence of the Conference should be used to support my decision.

In these circumstances, I accept the responsibility and, after careful consideration, I have decided that the seats should be allocated as follows :-

To Irish Party :- South Down, North-East Tyrone, South Armagh, East Donegal.

To Sinn Fein : Derry City, East Down, North-West Tyrone, South Fermanagh.