Explanatory Notes To Part IV - The Constitution and Excepted Matters

19 The Constitution

The output of the Constitutional Convention needs to be defined. The Constitution must conform to the rule of law. The principle that as a general rule nothing is ruled out of the Constitution is established.

20 The Voluntary Union of sovereign peoples

The first of the four exceptions to the principle that nothing is ruled out - the Union is a voluntary union of sovereign peoples.

21 Entrenchment of the European Convention on Human Rights

The second exception relates to the entrenchment of the ECHR in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

22 Entrenchment of elements of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement

The third exception is for selected elements of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement.

23 Treaty obligations

The fourth and final exception is with respect of treaty obligations freely entered into.