The UK Government’s decision to undermine the Northern Ireland protocol marks a ‘particular low’ in UK/Irish relations, the Foreign Affairs Minister has said.

Simon Coveney held a 12-minute phone call with his UK counterpart Liz Truss this morning.

The British Foreign Secretary used the call to outline Westminster’s intention to unilaterally publish legislation on the protocol.

In a tweet, she said the legislation aimed to “protect peace and stability in Northern Ireland and uphold the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.”

Minister Coveney said the decision was “deeply damaging” to relations between Britain and Ireland.

FA Minister Simon Coveney had a 12 min phone call with U.K. Foreign Sec Liz Truss this morning. She outlined intention to publish legislation on the protocol. Coveney said it marked a particular low in U.K. - Irish relations.

— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) June 13, 2022

Minister Coveney’s spokesperson said he told Ms Truss that “publishing legislation that would breach the UK’s commitments under international law, the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol is deeply damaging to relationships on these islands and between the UK and EU.”

“Minister Coveney said it marks a particular low point in the UK’s approach to Brexit, especially as Secretary Truss has not engaged with negotiations with the EU in any meaningful way since February,” he said.

Minister Coveney said the UK approach is “not in the best interest of Northern Ireland and does not have the consent or support of the majority of people or business in Northern Ireland”.

“Far from fixing problems, this legislation will create a whole new set of uncertainties and damage relationships,” he said.

The legislation will give British ministers the power to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol – which protects against the return of a hard border in Ireland.

It is a key part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement – a legally binding international treaty.