IN a short letter written by the then Taoiseach, Mr Sean Lemass, to the British prime minister, Mr Harold Wilson, in 1966, the "gratitude and deep appreciation of the Irish Government and people" were expressed for the return to Ireland of the flag which flew over the GPO during Easter Week in 1916.
According to papers released by the Public Record Office in London yesterday, the flag had been held at the Imperial War Museum in London since shortly after the Rising.
Mr Lemass, noting the support for its return from the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, Mr Arthur Bottomley, and the members of the museum board, welcomed the British initiative, coming as it did shortly before the Rising's 50th anniversary.
He wrote from Government Buildings: "The return of the flag, can be welcomed as yet another step towards the building of goodwill and the most friendly relations between our two countries."
The description of the green flag by Mr Lemass included a reference to the words "Irish Republic", which were inscribed on it.
He thanked Mr Wilson for the "speed and the generosity with which your government responded favourably to our representations" for the return of the flag.
Mr Lemass signed the letter "yours very sincerely, Sean Lemass".