Collins - de Valera Pact
Macardle makes arguments for the strengths of the Pact i.e. postponement of decision on Treaty until it could be clarified and understood; the constitution of the Free State would be published and examined; return a coalition government pledged to maintaining national unity; adult national suffrage under a revised national register. However, Curran says that it was clever tactics by Collins – arguing he would lose little no matter which way it went - and he quotes de Valera as later saying about the pact “tho’ apparently a victory, was really a defeat for the Republic”. Phoenix notes that the joint-IRA action in the North and pleading from Aiken and others not to split were catalytic in producing the pact.