Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The straight answer to that question is "Yes". The purpose of the consent mechanism, which Mr. Michel Barnier rightly described as a long-term democratic support mechanism - every four years, or potentially every eight years, depending on how people vote and the number who vote to extend arrangements, if they do that - is to ensure that Northern Ireland will not be kept in any arrangement against its will. The text is also framed in a way that ensures it will be a majority in the Assembly that will make the decision. The provisions are made very clearly in Article 19A of the agreement made today.

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