We currently write, in section 19.2 Determining the Context Item Type:

5. If the focus-setting container is any other declaration, for example a global variable declaration, the context item type is U{*}.

However, the present rules on streamability for global variables assume the context item type from xsl:global-context-item.

Even though we may be dropping global variables from streaming analysis (see bug 29670 comment #3), I think this rule should be in relation to xsl:global-context-item (regardless whether streamability is applicable).

I propose therefore:

5. If the focus-setting container is a global xsl:variable or xsl:param declaration, the context item type is the type from the type attribute of xsl:global-context-item, U{} if the use attribute is "absent" or U{*} if that declaration is absent.
6. If the focus-setting container is any other declaration, for example xsl:key or xsl:accumulator, the context item type is U{*}.
7. Otherwise [...]

(rule (6) is there because they apply to the match selection, not the GCI)