The Taoiseach is traveling to Brussels today for a major EU summit.

It will be the first for UK Prime Minister Theresa May, where she is expected to update EU leaders about tentative Brexit plan

Leaders will be permitted ask the prime minister questions, although the summit agenda does not allow for any lengthy discussions on the matter.

Sources say there is sympathy for Ireland’s unique position among EU leaders, but it is not likely the Taoiseach will make any direct plea for Ireland as a special case at this point.

The major priority for the two days will be latest challenges facing the EU – a trade deal with Canada which had an original deadline of next week.

Sources say that if the EU cannot agree a deal with Canada, it will be impossible to strike a trade deal with Britain.