The EU's chief Brexit negotiator says he is "confident" a solution can be found in the next 48 hours over a possible ban on chilled meat products from GB being sold in NI.

European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič has appeared before a Stormont committee.

Products such as chilled sausages were due to be prohibited from Thursday as a result of the NI Protocol.

The protocol is part of the Brexit deal that creates a border in the Irish Sea.

It keeps NI in the European Union single market for goods.

The EU does not generally permit the import of chilled meat products like mince and sausages from non-member states.

But the UK has asked the EU to delay the ban through extending a so-called grace period.

• Gulf remains between UK and EU over Brexit protocol
• What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
• NI business disruption needs to be fixed, says Lewis

Mr Šefčovič said he had been in "intensive contact" with the European Parliament and EU member states in recent days about the UK's request.

"While I cannot today announce the EU's formal agreement to the request, but after all the internal contacts I have had, I remain confident we can find a solution in the next 48 hours that will address both sides' needs and concerns," he said.

"I hope to be bringing such optimism to Northern Ireland more in the future."

'Bold steps'

Mr Šefčovič also told MLAs that the EU was "prepared to take bold steps" on flexibilities, if the UK is committed to implementing protocol in full, including changing EU laws if necessary.

He repeated the EU's preference for a temporary Swiss-style veterinary agreement as a solution for Northern Ireland, where the UK continues to follow all EU agri-food rules. 

The UK has previously rejected this proposal, with its negotiator Lord Frost saying it would be "an abrogation of sovereignty" if it involved the rules being enforced through the EU institutions.

Speaking later in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she welcomed the "indication" from Mr Šefčovič that the extension would be granted.

"We should bank that but what we need here are longer-term solutions and I hope we can find those in the period ahead," she added.

"I do think the appearance of Maros Šefčovič really was a positive development, I think it is really important that he does hear first-hand that the DUP doesn't speak for the north on Brexit or the Protocol."