A chara, - David Fitzpatrick (August 28th) compared Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's remarks about Irish unity to the sentiments expressed by Sir James Craig to Michael Collins in 1922. The comparison is interesting in the historical context. It would be regrettable, however, if reactions to the Bloomfield speech focused on Irish unity, rather than on wider aspects.
The former Northern senior civil servant, in his speech to the Merriman Summer School ( The Irish Times, August 24th), called for politicians and opinion makers "to think long and hard about the true nature, cost, ethos and dynamics of a new orientation of affairs" in Northern Ireland.
An informed debate on the wider implications of closer co-operation between both jurisdictions in Ireland is necessary in the national interest. Pain as well as gain is inevitable. Negative reactions to possible economic losses in one region of this State because of the Aer Lingus move to Belfast set the wrong tone and do not augur well for rational debate. Commentators have neglected to emphasise that the nine Ulster counties would benefit from Aer Lingus routes to Heathrow and the continent. - Is mise,
TONY QUINN, Dalkey, Co Dublin.