The establishment of a semi-State security service staffed by former soldiers, to combat armed violence and terrorism, was recommended in the Department of Justice in 1972 during Mr Desmond O'Malley's time as minister.
The document begins with a paragraph that could have come from almost any government of the present day: "Acts of armed violence have become so frequent and so daring that governments throughout the world are becoming very concerned and are examining their internal security framework with a view to making appropriate adjustments to meet this recurring terror."
Aircraft-hijacking, kidnapping and hostage-taking were all on the increase, the unsigned memo continued. These were proving a heavy burden on the Defence Forces and the Garda.
The responsibility of providing protection for vital installations such as broadcasting and power stations, banks, State buildings and explosive convoys should be removed from the Defence and Police Forces.
"As an alternative it is suggested the formation of a Security Service with a recommendation that it would come under semi-State control. This Service, it is visualised, would be organised in armed elements for particular duties and have unarmed personnel elsewhere as required."
The proposed body would operate "as other semi-State bodies do at present, and be accountable to the relevant minister, in this case the minister for justice".
Personnel should be "loyal and reliable", with ex-members of the Permanent Defence Forces the obvious and readily-available choice.
Duties would include guarding airports where the standard of security was "pathetic". They would also be stationed in banks.
Asked if such a body would be relevant in today's environment, security sources said last night that the strength and experience of the Garda were greater than in 1972, and legislative protection was "more than adequate" in comparison with other countries.
Since the Good Friday agreement, indigenous politically-motivated violence had declined, while Ireland was playing a full part with other countries in fighting international terrorism.