Madam, - Liberal unionists must be gratified by Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's declaration that he does "not find the idea of some form of Irish unity or closer association - almost certainly after my time - in any way unthinkable in principle" (The Irish Times, August 24th).
Sir James Craig expressed similar sentiments to Michael Collins in January 1922, as summarised for the cabinet of Northern Ireland: "For the present an all-Ireland Parliament was out of the question. Possibly in years to come - 10, 20, or 50 years - Ulster might be tempted to join with the South. . . If he were convinced it were in the interests of the people of Ulster, he would frankly tell them of his views, but should such an eventuality arise, he would not feel justified himself in taking part in an all-Ireland Parliament".
Welcome to the club, Sir Kenneth! - Yours, etc,
DAVID FITZPATRICK, Department of History, Trinity College, Dublin 2.