The Taoiseach Enda Kenny will join EU leaders in Brussels later to discuss further sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the crisis in Ukraine.

It comes after Moscow denied its troops illegally crossed the border into Ukraine to support pro-Russian separatists in the country.

Also on today's agenda is the election of the next President of the European Council, to replace Herman Van Rompuy.

The selection of the next EU Commissioners will also be discussed - Phil Hogan is being nominated as Agriculture Commissioner, despite opposition from the Irish Sinn Fein MEPs and Independents Nessa Childers and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Other issues to be addressed at this special meeting include the situation in the Ukraine.

Outgoing President Van Rompuy is meeting Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko this morning.

He will take the opportunity to express the Council's growing concern at the worsening crisis in eastern Ukraine and its humanitarian impact on the civilian population.

Other issues on the agenda include events in Gaza and Iraq as well as concerns about the ebola outbreak in west Africa.