The meeting discussed the significant risks of differences in rights protections on a north-south basis following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

The joint committee is made up of representatives from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).

Representatives from the committee will also shortly travel to Brussels for further engagements with Government representations and the EU.

Emily Logan, IHREC chief commissioner, said: “Brexit risks creating a two-tier citizenship in Northern Ireland.

“Today’s joint committee meeting with the EU chief negotiator saw a significant shared understanding of the human rights conditions which need to be met in order for the final withdrawal agreement to meet the obligations of .

“The joint committee will continue its work to ensure that current and future rights are secured for all in these challenging negotiations.”

Les Allamby, NIHRC chief commissioner, added: “We welcomed today’s meeting with the EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, in Dundalk. The joint committee took this opportunity to discuss how the current agreed position of the EU27 and the UK government of no diminution of human rights can be implemented in practice after the UK withdrawal from the EU.

“Today’s meeting closely follows the joint committee’s engagement with Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Coveney, and NI Under Secretary of State, Lord Duncan, and we look forward to further close engagement as the UK withdrawal draws nearer.”