Talks continue in Brussels after day of deadlock over pandemic rescue plan

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has argued the deal is the best way to avoid harder decisions down the line.

EU leaders have been meeting for a state dinner this evening after a day of deadlock in Brussels over the €750 billion pandemic rescue plan for the bloc.

European Council president Charles Michel held bilateral talks with national leaders throughout the afternoon, after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte insisted €200 billion should be cut from the recovery grants scheme on Friday night.