Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said for many people it is "pretty shocking that the British government is voting through its parliament a bill that breaks international law". He added that it has been a deliberate strategy of the UK government that is "very, very unwelcome" and damages Britain's reputation internationally.
Mr Hansen said that the EU wants as close ties as possible with the UK going forward as there are huge mutual interests in that, but that without 'full respect' for the Withdrawal Agreement, trade talks could not proceed. Mr Hansen said the EU has shown openess on fisheries and has moved from a status quo to a new position in an attempt to reach a compromise.
He said that the EU would seek at least the same commitments from the UK as it is giving to other trading partners, including Japan, where the UK has gone further with agreements on state aid.Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel has said the UK government is ensuring it stays true to the Good Friday Agreement with the UK Internal Market Bill.
Meanwhile, a Conservative Party former cabinet minister has said it would be "unacceptable" to breach international law with legislation to override the Brexit divorce deal.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The proposition that we should march through the Lobby as lawmakers and say that we are going to ignore and disavow a law that we have passed, to do with the rule of law, that is completely unacceptable.