Other news from the State papers of 1978
De Valera declined plea from brother of Collins
Éamon de Valera declined a request from a brother of Michael Collins to permit Army participation in the annual commemoration at Beál na Bláth, site of the Civil War ambush in Co Cork where Collins was fatally wounded on August 22nd, 1922.
The request came in a letter to the then-taoiseach from Seán Collins of Clonakilty, Co Cork, and dated June 27th, 1957 . He said the proposal was a "dying request" from the organiser of the annual commemoration, Col Coughlan.
He also wrote to invite president Seán T O'Kelly: "Apart from Mick being my brother, I believe that such a gesture from the president and the government would be the means of healing the sores of the Civil War and again uniting in the field of national endeavour, men who have never since the unfortunate split caused thereby, given their best efforts to the work of the nation."
In his reply, de Valera said he had given the matter "the most careful consideration" and spoken to other members of the government, but they all felt they should adhere to the decision taken some years earlier to designate Easter Sunday for the commemoration of all who took part in the struggle for independence.
Later, after he was elected to the presidency, de Valera for the first time attended the annual memorial Mass for Michael Collins at Dublin Castle on July 7th, 1968.
Áras official predicted unity
The assumption that Irish unity was inevitable, sooner or later, was a factor in discussions about building improvements at Áras an Uachtaráin during the presidency of Seán T O'Kelly.
A file now released to the National Archives contains a memo dated November 12th, 1947 from a senior official in the presidential secretariat criticising proposed reconstruction plans as "very shortsighted" because they are based on "the existing meagre staff". The memo states: "The building now contemplated will be of a permanent nature and may be expected to last at least a hundred years. Within that period there is little doubt that the partition question will be settled and the whole of Ireland will be reintegrated, with a central government and parliament.
"If the abolition of partition, even as a temporary measure, entails anything in the nature of a federal system, this is almost sure to have reactions on the presidency, with possibly an increased staff in the secretariat, whether arising out of the appointment of a representative of the North on the staff of the secretary or otherwise."
A memo dated November 13th headed "Discussion with the President" reports: "He agrees that with the elimination of partition, whenever that should occur, his functions, both official and social, would be extended, and that would entail an increase in the staff of the secretary."
Accordingly, he authorised discussions with the architects to make provision for such an eventuality. The secretary to the president at the time was Michael McDunphy.