Principle of consent

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Principle of consent is a term used in the context of debate on a United Ireland, which states that Northern Ireland's constitutional status (as part of the United Kingdom) cannot change without majority support in Northern Ireland. It is a central theme in the Northern Ireland peace process and was enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998.

The principle of consent is now accepted by all elected parties in Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is opposed by Republican Sinn Féin, the IRSP and many independent Republicans.

Opponents of the principle regard it as a Unionist veto, as the state of Northern Ireland was designed to have a permanent Unionist majority, with the result that partition is guaranteed there. However, proponents of the principle have always insisted that no party should have a veto on change or equality.