Moreover, holding the poll on the same day as next year's elections to the Stormont Assembly might have a beneficial knock-on effect for Mr Trimble, whose centre-ground supporters have appeared increasingly reluctant to come out to vote.
The witnesses setting forth this improbable sequence of cause and effect were outclassed in every respect by the impressive assembly of true experts in their respective fields who testified on behalf of respondent.
The orders will give effect to the historic vote at Stormont earlier this month when Northern Ireland Assembly members voted in favour of the transfer.