THE EUROPEAN Union is to take legal action against the United Kingdom for breaking the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to make an announcement later today which confirms that legal action will be taken, according to RTÉ News.
The announcement comes after the British Government confirmed earlier this month that they intend to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement which was negotiated and signed into law late last year.
The new legislation could undermine parts of the withdrawal agreement and give greater priority to seamless trade between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Some of the clauses will also override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed last year, in a move that could pave the way for a return to a hard border.
By the Northern Ireland Secretary's own admission, the plans to override the Northern Ireland Protocol breaks international law-- but only "in a specific and limited way".
It is being reported that a "letter of formal notice" has been finalised by the European Commission, which states that the UK is in breach of Articles 4 and 5 of the Withdrawal Agreement, which are known as the "good faith" provisions.
Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission's representative on the EU-UK Joint Committee, warned earlier this week that the EU would "not be shy" to take legal action against the UK for their breaching of international laws.
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, is today travelling to Brussels for a special meeting of the European Council, in order to discuss a range of issues including the strengthening of the single market, Europe's relationship with China and Europe's relationship with Turkey.
But RTÉ News reports that An Taoiseach will also be given the floor to address fellow European leaders about the impact of Brexit, due to Ireland being the European country most affected by the outcome.
See More: Brexit, EU, UK, Ursula Von Der Leyen
