Julian Smith: Article 2 of Protocol states it's "without prejudice to the provisions of the GFA in respect of the constitutional status of NI, + the principle of consent, which provides that any change in that status can only be made with the consent of the majority of its people

Responding to repeated questioning from Lady Sylvia Hermon MP as to why the consent mechanism in the deal is different to the consent formula in the GFA, Smith says the following:

"The Assembly rules have been laid down and carefully calibrated for the responsibilities the Assembly has. The GFA is clear that in exceptional matters, and reserve matters incl international agreements its going to be a different mechanism.