The Republic’s EU Affairs Minister has urged Britain not to jeopardise the peace process in its dispute over new trading arrangements with the EU.

Talks aimed at avoiding a trade war take place in ‘gloomy atmosphere’.

European affairs minister says British government out of step with preserving peace with protocol threats.

A “tough guy” approach when it comes to Northern Ireland will lead to “disaster”, Irish minister for European affairs Thomas Byrne warned this morning.

Bloc says it will not renegotiate agreement and threatens to take ministers to court for ‘damaging’ unilateral action.

Ministers express ‘unity’ on European Commission’s legal proceedings in Luxembourg meeting.