Announcing the move, Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said that while it was for the World Court to decide whether genocide is being committed
"There has been no UK request for an extension. Should there be a UK request to extend setting out the reasons for such an extension it will be a matter for the EU27 to decide by unanimity," Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a regular news briefing.
Prime Minister Theresa May will try on Wednesday to forge consensus in parliament on a Brexit divorce agreement after the crushing defeat of her own deal left Britain's exit from the EU in disarray 10 weeks before it is due to leave.