EU 'not triggering' Article 16, NI protocol will be 'unaffected'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is peaking to European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen about the decision to override part of the Northern Ireland Brexit protocol this evening. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The EU has said it is “not triggering the safeguard clause” to ensure the Northern Ireland Protocol is “unaffected” after widespread condemnation following its actions to place export controls on coronavirus vaccines.

In a statement issued tonight, the Commission said it is putting in place a measure requiring that exports of vaccines are subject to an authorisation by Member States.