Professor John Doyle:

The other issue is that this will come into play only if at least 50% plus one vote for a united Ireland. Otherwise, we do not need to think about it. If that referendum passes, one would hope by more than one vote, what will the Northern Ireland Executive represent politically? From the perspective of an Ulster unionist, if, by definition, more than 50% plus one have just voted for the party of a united Ireland, the majority would no longer represent a unionist view. If Michelle O'Neill were the First Minister, would Ian Paisley feel represented in Dublin by the First Minister in a future scenario where Northern Ireland has moved on and that is the majority? The Executive's purpose, for me, would not be clear. I can see why it is talked about. In respect of its purpose in the future as representing unionists, however, there are better models that would be more reassuring in terms of the inevitable concerns about rights and representation.