Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein Deputy Leader told RTÉ News she feels that her party need to be careful not to miss important points amid a major breakthrough in Brexit negotiations.

She said: ”Looking at the report, some of the language in it is to be welcomed in that it recognises the circumstances of Ireland. 

“It recognises the sensitivity and the importance of the Good Friday agreement architecture and politics.”

She added: “But I have to say to you that we need to be careful at this juncture in the midst of considerable hype not to miss a couple of essential and important points. 

“Number one: Theresa May and the British Government have repeated very very clearly that they, and by ‘they’ they mean also the North, will leave the customs union and also the single market. 

“That presents for us a real and present danger. It’s highly problematic.” 

Brexit negotiators published a report on today’s agreement shortly after the PM and Mr Juncker appeared in a press conference at the EU Commission’s headquarters. 

The pair reached an agreement on the position of EU citizens on both sides of the Channel, Northern Ireland, and the Brexit divorce bill to be paid by the UK. 

Mrs May and Mr Juncker admitted that significant ‘give and take’ had been given from both sides.

Mr Juncker said: “Prime Minister May has assured me that it has the backing of the UK Government. 

“The Commission has just formally decided to recommend to the European Council that sufficient progress has been made on the terms of the divorce. 

“Today’s result is of course a compromise. 

“As in any negotiation, both sides had to listen to each other adjust their position and show a willingness to compromise.”