There was widespread support from the Opposition for the Government's stance on Brexit, as well as encouragement for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to stick the position outlined in the draft Border deal.
The Opposition party leaders were briefed on the outline of deal on Monday by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar before DUP leader Arlene Foster raised objections with British prime minister Theresa May.
Fianna Fáil Brexit spokesman Stephen Donnelly attended the meeting instead of his leader Micheál Martin, and was broadly supportive of what the Government had achieved.
The Wicklow TD also called on the Government to speak directly to the DUP, and described the outline deal as the "best of both worlds".
He said the proposed deal would avoid a hard Border, including through the “backstop” wording that would ensure a soft Border even in the event of a “no deal” Brexit scenario.”I’m still optimistic because, if we assume the only party that is not okay with the deal is the DUP, then let’s talk to them”.
Common good
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald said her party had said from “the beginning that the pact between the DUP and Tories in London would end in tears, and so it has”.
“It’s just essential everybody including the DUP acts in the common good. This is about farmers, whether you’re orange or green; this is about business owners, nationalist or republican; this is about citizens, women and men and children, who at this point in time need a united political class. This isn’t a moment for petty point-scoring, divisive politics: this is a moment of unity of purpose.”
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan also said he supported the Government's position and hoped the deal outlined on Monday, but which Ms May did not conclude, could still be achieved.
Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said his party had consistently supported the Government's position on Brexit, and to ensure Britain's withdrawal from the European Union did not damage "our hard-won political and economic stability".
"We do so in full recognition of the rejection of Brexit by the people of Northern Ireland, " Mr Howlin said.
"The solution to this problem is obvious and involves the UK as a whole accepting the need to remain within the single market and customs union – a position supported by the political representatives of Wales, Scotland and London today.
“And an issue not determined by the Brexit referendum. This would achieve the regulatory alignment that is needed to avoid a hard Border.
The Dublin Bay South TD said he is “generally supportive of the Government position” and hopes the negotiations can still be successfully concluded.