Irish commissioner: EU made serious `mistake' in attempt to block vaccines across Irish border

McGuinness told RTE Radio 1 Sunday evening that she was happy the Commission quickly reversed course and by Friday night had approved a revised export regulation dropping the provision on Northern Ireland. She said the EU executive had failed to carry out "normal and proper scrutiny," but also strongly defended Ursula von der Leyen when pressed twice on whether the Commission president should resign over the incident.

"This was a mistake -- other words have been used -- it has had consequences," said McGuinness, the EU commissioner for financial services. "We have seen very justified anger and the political fallout. Fortunately, I know it was at the 11th hour, but the mistake was rectified."

McGuinness insisted she was unaware of the provision and not consulted about it.