Taoiseach Bertie Ahern turned down an invitation to host a visit from the British Navy's vessel the Ark Royal at Dublin Port in 2003.
Documents unsealed at the National Archives show the British ambassador Stuart Eldon had "requested permission" for the visit on "an informal basis" from 11 to 16 June 2003.
A report by secretary for the taoiseach Michael Collins on 19 May said that the Anglo Irish Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had shared its view that "we should decline this request".
Mr Collins said that a visit by the British Navy flagship would "undoubtedly" be seen by many as "untimely, not to say insensitive".
He added that in his view it would be hard "to construe" a visit by the Ark Royal at this time, as "anything other than propaganda and triumphalism".
However, Mr Collins stated that "we should not allow" the matter to become "one of public controversy or difficulty" between the two governments, and the British Embassy should "be advised" that such a sensitive matter should be "subject of informal consultation" first.
On the cover page of the three-page report there is a hand written note saying: "Michael, please see Taoiseach’s comment on page 3."
On page three, there is one line added, written by hand, stating "my view is no" from the taoiseach.
On 21 May, official Brendan Scannell said he told the ambassador that his "official view", shared by colleagues across relevant departments, was that the visit would "not achieve the right result" and indeed could "impact negatively".
He was concerned about the impact of a visit, with the vessel coming almost direct from the Gulf, at such a "sensitive time in our own peace process and in the aftermath of the Gulf War".
Mr Scannell added that he "opined" to the ambassador that it would be best to have a longer lead-in time and that "greater consultation would be required" to prepare for such a visit.
Mr Scannell noted that Ambassador Eldon said he was "disappointed", adding that it would be a "real pity" and that his authorities had planned for it to be "a relatively low profile affair".
The Irish official wrote that he had replied that that could "hardly be possible" as the vessel in question was a "flagship" one and that it had a "crew of over 1,000".
The ambassador subsequently called Mr Scannell, and told him that his authorities "whilst disappointed" agreed it would not be best to proceed with a visit at this time.
The note concludes saying that in respect of the strengthening of the relationship between both countries, they agreed that "no response was required to their note requesting the visit".
[Based on document 2025/127/106]
The Jordan Formula 1 racing team showed "no great enthusiasm for any event" organised by the Government, who were attempting to capitalise on the State's sponsorship of the team, new State Papers show.
Irish diplomatic staff in 1995 had been engaged in attempting to get businessman and owner Eddie Jordan and racing driver Rubens Barrichello to make guest appearances at functions.
One ambassador complained that they might only do "the minimum necessary to humour a comparatively minor sponsor".
While another said the assistance of the racing team was only secured following a "somewhat blunt" phone call to remind them that the Irish State was one of their sponsors.
In 1994, the government provided IR£400,000 to the team, and IR£250,000 in 1995.
In February 1995, Enda Kenny, who was minister for tourism and trade at the time, wrote to then-tánaiste Dick Spring, requesting diplomats to organise receptions fixed around the Formula 1 grand prix calendar in order to generate a maximum return from the sponsorship.
Mr Kenny also expected embassy staff to be provided with tickets for each grand prix to distribute to special guests selected based on "optimum economic return", the documents show.
[Based on document 2025/124/265]
Haughey's unhappiness with rug, portraits
In 1990, then-taoiseach Charles Haughey was not happy with some of the decoration in Government Buildings at a time when refurbishments were being carried out by the Office of Public Works.
In 1991, Mr Haughey aired his unhappiness with a "sweepstake" rug, as well as portraits of Pádraig Pearse and Wolfe Tone.
On 8 May 1991, Department of Taoiseach official Colm Butler wrote to Klaus Unger, the assistant principal architect, about the adjustments Mr Haughey sought.
He said: "Of the portraits hanging on the wall of the chamber itself, the Taoiseach has reservations about those of Pearse and Tone in terms of the quality of the work.
"Would it be possible to have these 're-executed' (the portraits, of course) by other artists.
"As regards the Sweepstake rug, the Taoiseach is not happy with the end product. Could you have the rug removed?"
[Based on documents 2025/115/106 and 2025/115/133]
Carlingford Lough boardings
A number of incidents on the disputed territory of Carlingford Lough left then-taoiseach Charles Haughey and Irish officials unhappy with British policy on boarding boats.
On several occasions, British naval officers patrolling the inlet boarded leisure boats, leading to one alleged incident where a marine put a gun to the neck of a Dubliner and took the safety off in 1991.
Mr Haughey wrote to the sailor in question, saying the government would be making representations on his behalf.
Henry Barnwell, from Glenageary, was sailing on his yacht the 'Lady Jane' on 1 June 1991 when the incident occurred.
In a garda file released as part of the State Papers, Mr Barnwell and his wife Joy were said to be left "visibly shaken" by the incident.
In a separate incident in July 1990, two British naval officers armed with submachine guns boarded Mr Haughey's yacht, although the taoiseach was not on board at the time.
Carlingford Lough is an inlet located between counties Louth in the Republic and Down in Northern Ireland.
In the aftermath of the incidents, Irish officials sought the British government's policy underpinning the boardings.
They said they wanted assurances that such incidents "would not become the norm".
[Based on document 2025/115/523]
