What exactly was Ireland's status 1937- 49 with a president but not a Republic in ' external association ' with the UK?
Dev told Churchill he regretted it in 1954. Ironically India became a Republic within the Commonwealth the same year. Why not the same for Ireland?

I'd welcome a review by a Treasury insider, anon if necessary, disclosing what advice she received and what she ignored Was it responsible if she was allowed to blow herself- and mortgage holders- up? Peston has a line on this and the impact on pension funds.

A friend of mine was charged £23 for 20 Silk Cut at Luton Airport. He declined. At this rate it looks possible to price them out of existence- or into a grey market like cannabis's Or do I mean cocaine?

Irish News commentators seem to be falling out with the Dublin coalition even before a border poll campaign gets going. They seem to fear it will be strangled at birth unless SF wins office. Betrays an intriguing lack of confidence in creating a clear editorial line.

Who was that doing the weapionising of the GAA again? Rule 21 was it? I hope Casement gets rebuilt. Will Jarlath say thank you?

After all that foot slogging around the capitals of Europe, you'll find the experience of Belfast and Derry inspired by Phil Coulter a welcome relief.

It seems most of the elements of 'one system two states' are available within the GFA system, with long standing all Ireland institutions like the churches, many sports and myriad other links. The essential difference is a transfer of sovereignty. Back to square one.

What did Netanyahu say in reply? How did Sunak feel about that?

Did you refuse advice about the likely impact of your budget on pension funds?

Thanks Ben You got in before me.

What used to be called Castle Junction? Corner of Donegall Place/ High St. Ulster Club top left but before its big curved bay window?

Dalton suggested going over to the Red Lion for a drink to Attlee. Attlee said ' I've no cash on me'
' Don't worry they'll cash a cheque for us' replied Dalton.
But will they'? retorted Clem.
' Do they know us there?'

Happy memories of Beaghmore and the whole Sperrins over to West Tyrone on our last little holiday as a couple. Those villages where they used to take lumps out of each other seemed to having a competition over the best hanging baskets. Excellent off licence in Gortin.

They knew you were coming Tony.

People of a certain class more familiar with Paris or Berlin, he should have said, than Belfast and Derry. A majority of all in the South unfamiliar with the lot of them, I'd guess.

You may think that Tony, but I think Nick Robinson is telling us his use of the word ' murder' was a mistake, although he adopting it from unnamed others, rather than his own. On this subject, a word out of place or misunderstood and the world falls on your head.