The EU has ruled out making significant changes to the Northern Ireland protocol, ahead of a meeting with UK negotiators today.
The European Commission vice-president is travelling to London for talks with his opposite number, Michael Gove.
The EU last night said the protocol must be fully implemented and accused the UK of not meeting its obligations under the deal.
Former Taoiseach John Bruton was an EU ambassador to the UN - he says the protocol is vital and that checks at ports and airports cannot be scrapped.
