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<p>The Government has regular discussions with the Irish Government on a range of
issues in accordance with the well-established three stranded approach laid out in
the Belfast Agreement. As one of the negotiators of that Agreement, the Noble Lord
is aware that Northern Ireland’s constitutional position is based on the principle
of consent, which is fully supported by both the United Kingdom and Irish Governments.</p><p>The
Belfast Agreement stated that “the present wish of a majority of the people of Northern
Ireland, freely exercised and legitimate, is to maintain the Union and, accordingly,
that Northern Ireland’s status as part of the United Kingdom reflects and relies upon
that wish”. The Government has no reason to believe that there has been any change
in this position.</p>
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