Thread by @markdurkan

22 years ago today people of all traditions voted for #GFA.
It stands because it was uniquely validated North & South (h/t John Hume).
DUP opposed it.

Still, like rest of us, they & followers were guaranteed rights under GFA.

But the DUP do not have rights over it. 1/

Agitated against #GFA even after its validation but DUP now self-ordain as arbiters of GFA precepts.
Using twisted lines to conflate/confuse discrete "consent" provisions in GFA re Brexit, backstop & protocol.
Now arrogating over "birthright" tenet on citizenship choice. 2/

Dual referendum 22 May 98 amended Arts 2 & 3 of Irish Constitution to reflect GFA on citizenship & consent.
GFA didn't make Irish citizens in North British for time-being.
Nor does it make British citizens Irish-in-waiting.
"Consent" does not impose on citizenship choice. 3/

All know DUP had no authorship of GFA they now feign authority over.

But truth is that SDLP & Irish Government both crafted GFA terms on consent, identity, citizenship, rights etc with - among other considerations - DUP input at previous Mayhew talks in 1992 in mind. 4/

Sub-group in '92 talks had turgid but useful rounds on identity etc with some acceptance that parties should not try to define, defy or deny others' stated identity in any possible agreement.
In plenary, Ian Paisley stated he was "geographically Irish" but never by identity. 5/

In later plenary, Paisley raged SDLP want "so many rights, protections & respect for identity now but if you get 50%+1 for a united Ireland it will be endless night for Protestants!"
Hume replied we should agree rights & principles to apply whether NI in UK or united Ireland. 6/

Echoes in early Mitchell talks (DUP in). SDLP simultaneously accused of annexing Unionists under Irish identity and excluding them from it.

"If you want to be Irish move.." line met by S Mallon "..here is HOME for all of us..We will never say 'if you are British move'.." 7/

The GFA birthright to choose Irish, British or both identities & accordingly citizenship applies whatever the constitutional status of NI.
Not just to accommodate those who are Irish in present UK status but those who would remain British if status changes to united Ireland 8/

Gavin Robinson claim that consent in GFA means British citizenship automatically imposes on all born here, would mean Irish citizenship automatically imposes regardless of one's choice in a united Ireland.

Risky to proffer Gospel lines to DUP but "Do unto others etc." 9/

GFA also promises equal treatment, respect etc by whatever sovereign government here via consent.
@EmmandJDeSouza achievement has not only vindicated Irish/EU citizenship right. It has also ensured spouses of British citizens here now have 'settlement' access closed to GB. 10/

Gavin should welcome that 'British, Irish or both' in NI now have window to answer personal/family Brexit worry.
Instead he misrepresents GFA & resents @EmmandJDeSouza forcing HomeOffice to treat people here better than GB on Brexit (DUP support) due to GFA (DUP opposed). 11/

We all need to respect that Irish Constitution's terms, carefully honed by B Ahern & team, validated 22 years ago, shed light - beyond crass pseudo-legalisms - on how constitutional status, consent & citizenship are to be properly & sensitively addressed in spirit of GFA. 12/