While Republicans don't want a repeat of last year's disaster aid battle -- which they lost in the court of public opinion -- they expressed frustration that "emergency spending" could eat away at the projected budget surplus.

CNN: Disaster Relief, Military Spending Bill Moves Forward In Senate

So the seven-year stipulation isn't a requirement to automatically repeat the exercise, but a minimum period which must elapse between border polls.

BBC: United Ireland border poll call: diversions and u-turns

But the organisers of the T on the Fringe have already said they intend to put on a repeat performance next year - and hope to become as much as part of the Edinburgh Fringe as those Peruvian goat herders.

BBC: Fresh sound of the Fringe