THE NATIONAL FLAG will now be illuminated and fly 24/7 outside Government Buildings.
To mark the 101st anniversary of the Easter Rising, a short flag raising ceremony took place on Friday in the courtyard of Government Buildings in the presence of the Taoiseach and staff of the department.
In accordance with the guidelines governing the use of the national flag it is normally displayed in the open only from sunrise to sunset, except on the occasion of public meetings, processions or funerals, when it may be displayed for the duration of such function.
However, the guidelines provide that the tricolour may be flown by night as well as by day as long as it is properly illuminated at all times.
The installation of spotlights will now enable the the flag to be flown at all times outside Government Buildings.
Speaking at the ceremony of Taoiseach Enda Kenny said last year’s commemorations brought about a newfound respect for the tricolour.
He commended the Defence Forces for their professionalism in delivering a national flag to every school in Ireland last year and for explaining the meaning of the tricolour to the school children.
Kenny said he believes it is really important to have the flag flying on the grounds of Government Buildings.
“The national flag from this day and this night will always fly here and be respected by the people of this country.”
The Irish flag was first introduced by Thomas Francis Meagher in 1848 who based it on French tricolour.
The green represents the older Gaelic tradition while the orange represents the supporters of William of Orange. The white in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the orange and the green.
It was not until the Easter Rising of 1916, when it was raised above the General Post Office in Dublin that the tricolour came to be regarded as the national flag.
It is now enshrined in the Constitution of Ireland.
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