VdL-Confident On Positive Conclusion On NI Protocol If There Is UK Will

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to address the joint houses of the Irish Oireachtas (parliament) at 1400GMT (1000ET, 1500CET) as part of a visit celebrating 50 years since Ireland's entry into the EU.

• There remains significant focus in Brussels, Dublin, Belfast and London on the Northern Ireland protocol. Speaking beforehand alongside Taoiseach (PM) Micheal Martin, von der Leyen states that "We have been listening very carefully to concerns of people & businesses… if there is the political will in the UK, I am very confident we can reach a positive conclusion.”
• The 'mood music' between the UK and EU has improved of late, with low-level technical talks ongoing in an effort to reach a point where senior talks on the protocol can begin.
• On the Irish side, it should be noted that on 17 December as part of a coalition agreement, Tanaiste (Deputy PM) Leo Varadkar will take over from Martin. Unlikely to significantly alter gov't stance on the protocol, but could result in different negotiating stance from Dublin.
• Link to address livestream:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViWS6mE4CMA&featur...
• Comes as the UK Supreme Court begins hearing a case brought by unionist politicians arguing that the Northern Ireland protocol is unlawful in breaching the Acts of Union and the Northern Ireland Act. The Court of Appeal in Belfast has previously rejected the challenge on all grounds, and a reversal at the Supreme Court seems unlikely.