The Taoiseach has appealed directly to European leaders to include Ireland's "unique circumstances" in the "ground rules" of Brexit talks, writes Elaine Loughlin in Malta.

A summit of European leaders today will focus on the refugee crisis and Britain's possible exit from the EU.

The flow of Syrians, Afghans and others through the Balkans toward western Europe continued unabated as European leaders gather in Brussels to try and work out a plan to deal with the massive influx of refugees.