We must be extremely careful in our use of language when working towards a compromise. We must make sure that the words we use are either properly qualified or made to apply universally. A word like "consent" is not simply one to describe the agreement that the constitutional status of Northern Ireland will not change without the consent of a majority of its population. If we believe in the principle of consent, the corollary is that the future of Northern Ireland must be based on internal consent. This means that members of the current demographic minority must not be coerced into institutional arrangements which are not acceptable to them. The same applies to members of the current demographic majority.