Secret Government documents reveal tensions

Secret Government documents from 30 years ago reveal tensions between London and the newly elected Fianna Fáil Government.

The documents, which were released this morning, also show that the Government of the day faced some problems that would seem very familiar today.

After 30 years in Government vaults, the secret records of 1977 are on public view from 2 January at the National Archives in Dublin, the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland in Belfast, and the British National Archives outside London.

The big political story of 1977 was Jack Lynch's historic election victory, winning the largest majority in the history of the State over the outgoing National Coalition led by Liam Cosgrave.

The election result was viewed with some misgivings in London where it was believed Fianna Fáil had adopted more Republican policies while in opposition.

The London papers reveal that Prime Minister Jim Callaghan refused a suggestion from Dublin that he and the new Taoiseach should discuss the British guarantee to Unionists when they met in September.

But they also show that the British were pleased that the new Government was maintaining existing security co-operation.

Irish Cabinet records show that Ministers agreed soon after the election to continue to allow British reconnaissance flights across the Border, a decision that later returned to haunt Mr Lynch.

The papers also show some familiar concerns including a suggestion by Aer Lingus that it might get involved in flights out of Belfast, but only on condition that they could fly direct to London.

And there was concern that a ministerial pay rise could lead to resentment among workers and cause difficulties in the negotiation of a new national pay agreement.