A draft 'political declaration' on the future relationship between the EU and the UK has been reached.

Donald Tusk made the announcement on Twitter this morning.

He added that it had been agreed 'in principle' at a political level.

I have just sent to EU27 a draft Political Declaration on the Future Relationship between EU and UK. The Commission President has informed me that it has been agreed at negotiators’ level and agreed in principle at political level, subject to the endorsement of the Leaders.

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) November 22, 2018

Theresa May this lunchtime confirmed the text had been agreed.

Speaking outside Downing Street, she said: "It delivers on the vote of the referendum... it brings back control of our borders, our money and our laws... and it does so while protecting jobs, our security and the integrity of the United Kingdom.

"It is now up to the 27 leaders of the other EU member states to examine this agreement in the days leading up to the special EU Council meeting on Sunday."

Negotiations

Mrs May met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday, as negotiators on both sides worked to finalise a deal on the future relationship.

Picture by: Olivier Matthys/AP/Press Association Images

After the meeting, Mrs May admitted there were "remaining issues" - but insisted they had made "further progress" in a "very good" meeting.

Negotiating teams continued their efforts overnight, which appears to have resulted in the necessary breakthrough.

Mrs May return to Brussels for further meetings on Saturday ahead of the crucial summit of EU leaders on Sunday.

The leaders are meeting with the aim of 'rubber stamping' the Brexit agreements.

Uncertainty remains, however, over some issues - with the Spanish Prime Minister  threatening to veto the entire agreement.

Pedro Sanchez expressed concerns about the Brexit deals and the future of Gibraltar, which Spain argues is rightfully theirs.

Speaking earlier this week, he claimed his country will vote no to the deal unless 'changes' were made.

Today, Mrs May said she has spoken to Mr Sanchez and is "confident" they'll be able to agree a deal on Sunday.

Significant questions also remain over whether Mrs May will be able to get the draft withdrawal deal through her own parliament, with some members of her own Conservative party among those objecting to the agreement.

The DUP, which is propping up Mrs May's government, has also continued to voice its objections to the deal.

Dáil vote

Meanwhile, the Dáil has overwhelmingly backed a motion in support of the draft Brexit deal.

Just nine TDs opposed the proposal in a vote last night.

However, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin used the debate to attack the Government.

He accused Fine Gael Ministers of playing politics with the deal reached last week, arguing: "We have seen, I would regard, over the top and choreographed reactions to even the smallest criticisms.

"The record of the House shows that any challenge from any part of the House has been denounced as irresponsible."

He added: "The fact that the first reaction to last week's deal was for Ministers to discuss how to trigger an election suggests a Government which always puts politics first."