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1/ No one is suggesting that the British Government should not have a view on the future of the Union - either way.
2/ The question is around our unique circumstances and its approach to the referendum process here: before, during and after. It is hard to read the GFA as anything other than providing significant normative constraints on its handling of the process, along familiar lines.
3/ In the interests of sensible management, and informed decision-making, both governments will want to spell out the practical consequences of each outcome. People need to know what they are voting for or against. Governments can provide some credible answers.
4/ The island of Ireland context is distinctive, and the particular circumstances differ markedly from elsewhere. The right that underpins the process belongs to the people of this island, subject to the consent requirements set down in the GFA and other relevant obligations.
5/ Responsible British-Irish intergovernmental dialogue - before, during, and after - would be of great assistance to the smooth operation of these processes, which will be framed and governed by the GFA and associated obligations on both governments.
6/ This includes, in my view, both governments being clear in advance about how, for example, they will approach the practicalities of a vote for reunification and the managed transition process that will follow.
