Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has said he will discuss with Ireland's ambassador to the European Union tomorrow a briefing given to EU ambassadors today by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.
Mr Šefčovič briefed the ambassadors on the legal action against the UK which is being prepared by the commission following last week's UK government decision to unilaterally change the way the Northern Ireland Protocol is being implemented.
RTÉ News understands there will be two parallel legal moves against the UK, which could be finalised this week.
Mr Byrne told 7 Lá on TG4 that Ireland would fully support the European Commission in its effort to find a way to ensure the full implementation of the protocol and the full agreement between the UK and the EU.
Northern Ireland and the peace process, he said, were of great concern to Mr Šefčovič.
When Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis announced last week that the UK would extend the grace periods that have delayed some of the full impacts of the protocol, the EU accused the UK of a breach of the Withdrawal Agreement and a potential breach of international law.
It is understood the EU will launch an infringement procedure against the UK, which could end up in the European Court of Justice.
That was how Brussels responded last September to the Internal Market Bill, which breached the protocol.
A second legal track would be through the Withdrawal Agreement.
It is understood the EU will invoke Article 167 of the treaty, which obliges both sides to endeavour at all times agree on the interpretation and application of any aspect of the agreement, including the protocol.
The EU would argue that the UK is in breach of the article because it acted unilaterally.
Article 169 would then allow the EU to formally lodge a complaint through the Joint Committee, with the aim of reaching a mutually agreed solution.
The hope is that the UK will be persuaded to reverse its unilateral action on the grace periods.
However, the UK still insists its move does not breach the Withdrawal Agreement, and is practical and proportionate.
Additional reporting Tony Connelly
