The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is travelling to Brussels today for a crucial summit of EU leaders on Brexit.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has requested an extension of the Brexit process until June 30th – however she is likely to be offered a much longer delay.

In a letter to the remaining EU27 last night EU Council President Donald Tusk warned there was "little reason to believe" the UK Parliament will pass the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement by the end of June.

“In reality, granting such an extension would increase the risk of a rolling series of short extensions and emergency summits, creating new cliff-edge dates,” he wrote.

“This, in turn, would almost certainly overshadow the business of the EU27 in the months ahead.”

He said a shorter extension would also lead to the risk of an accidental no-deal Brexit at the end of June.

Flextension

He has recommended a year-long delay to the Article 50 process – with the UK free to cut it short if politicians in Westminster can agree a way to pass the withdrawal agreement.

He said the extension would last "as long as necessary and no longer than one year."

"The flexibility would allow to terminate the extension automatically, as soon as both sides have ratified the withdrawal agreement,” he wrote.

"The UK would be free to leave whenever it is ready and the EU27 would avoid repeated Brexit summits.

"Importantly, a long extension would provide more certainty and predictability by removing the threat of constantly shifting cliff-edge dates.

"Furthermore, in the event of a continued stalemate, such a longer extension would allow the UK to rethink its Brexit strategy.

Negotiations

Mrs May will take Prime Minister’s Question in Westminster this morning before travelling to Brussels.

Negotiations between her party and UK Labour aimed at finding a compromise way forward are ongoing and are due to resume tomorrow.

There has been little sign of a breakthrough so far – with Labour insisting there has yet to be a "clear shift" in position from Downing Street.

Summit

Once she arrives in Brussels, Mrs May is expected to sit down for talks with Mr Tusk.

EU leaders will then gather for discussions with European Parliament president Antonio Tajani, before the PM addresses them and makes the case for a shorter Brexit delay.

A dinner without Mrs May will then follow, during which the EU27 will agree a response to her request.

She is expected to hold a press conference shortly after – with Mr Tusk likely to do the same.