ASKED why there was not more focus on the issue of consent, Senator Mitchell said "The issue of consent, as defined in the terms of Northern Ireland, involves two concepts. The first is that if there is an agreed settlement reached in all party negotiations, all parties agree to abide by the terms of that agreement, and not to seek to overturn it by the use of force.
"The second concept involves the ultimate constitutional issue of the legal status of Northern Ireland. And as the Downing Street Declaration makes clear, there can be no change in that status without the consent of the majority off the people of Northern Ireland, as freely expressed in a democratic process.
"The former concept is directly relevant to the mission we received and within our remit and therefore is included among the principles which we set forth.
"The latter is plainly a political issue. It is indeed the ultimate political issue, and therefore outside the scope of our rem it, and therefore not addressed in our report."
He hoped the recommendations would be carefully reviewed, by all parties and that they would serve as a means by which the peace process could go forward.
He added that no commitments were sought, or given, during the meetings with the various groups.
In reply to further questions about the consent principle, he said this had been discussed, pro and con, by many of the submissions, but he emphasised that the approach in the body's report was the approach it believed should, be taken.
He also said people should view as a positive development the universal support including by those parties close to the paramilitary organisations, for a total and verifiable disarmament by all paramilitary organisations.
"We tried to emphasise that, and to highlight the importance of that objective", he said.
"If the gun is to be taken out of Irish politics it has to be the result of such total and verifiable demilitarisation, and we favour that."