Taoiseach will attend Brussels meeting of EU leaders following negative Covid tests

The European leaders are expected to discuss Russian military aggression against Ukraine, security and defence, energy, economic issues, Covid-19 and external relations.

Micheál Martin has now received two successive negative Covid tests ahead of his departure from the US, and he will fly home from Washington DC this evening ahead of the meeting.

The Taoiseach will attend a crucial European Council meeting in Brussels tomorrow after isolating with Covid in the US since last week.

Doubts had been cast over whether Mr Martin would be able to leave Washington to attend the meeting of European leaders who are expected to discuss Russian military aggression against Ukraine, security and defence, energy, economic issues, Covid-19 and external relations.