Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the agreement reached between the UK and the EU on Monday night is “positive” and “does not undermine the backstop”. He said the documents published on Monday night were an “unambiguous statement from both parties”“It does not reopen the withdrawal agreement or undermine the backstop,” Mr Varadkar added. David Lidington, the prime minister’s de facto deputy, told the House of Commons the interpretive instrument has the same legal status as the withdrawal agreement. “I hope and trust the withdrawal agreement will now be passed by the House of Commons. “It does not reopen the withdrawal agreement or undermine the backstop or its application.

Source: The Irish Times March 12, 2019 08:32 UTC