Northern Ireland is not unique and therefore it does not need a unique solution without precedent anywhere else in the world. The Britishness of the unionist people lies at the heart of the matter. We are now approaching the last few weeks in this process. At this time I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the trust you have placed in myself and the Talks team. Nobody ever said this would be easy.
Negotiations never are.
We have honoured our pledge to the people who elected us to defend the Unionist case. These talks are about the principle of consent and the reality that the Union will continue for as long as that is the wish of the greater number of the people in Northern Ireland. The constitutional future of Northern Ireland is entirely a matter for the people of Northern Ireland. It is for the people of Northern Ireland to consent to any change in Northern Ireland's constitutional status as part of the United Kingdom and clearly we do not consent to any such change. We are prepared to agree to a settlement which recognises Northern Ireland's position as part of the United Kingdom, and which puts in place sensible arrangements to enable the whole community in Northern Ireland to be involved in real politics.