State Papers: Charlie Haughey told British PM unionists lack sophistication

Mr Haughey indicated to Mr Major he did not believe that the four main Stormont parties discussing the future of Northern Ireland would produce anything of substance. Picture: PA

Charlie Haughey told British prime minister, John Major, at a meeting in 1991 that he should not "attribute too much sophistication to the unionists" amid ongoing efforts to bring The Troubles to a close.

The comments by the Taoiseach, recorded in an Irish Government note of the meeting, were made in Downing Street on June 21, 1991.