Brussels insists Northern Ireland Brexit protocol must remain

Gardai at the border crossing between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Photo: Brian Lawless

The European Commission has warned that the Northern Ireland Protocol in the Brexit divorce settlement remains the only way to prevent the return of a hard border with the Republic.

Late-night talks between the commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic and Brexit minister Lord Frost aimed at resolving differences over the implementation of the protocol broke up without an agreement.