Two weeks after the British referendum vote, the European Union is still reeling from the result. In Brussels and Strasbourg a strange sense of paralysis has taken hold, as the mysterious momentum that propels the EU machinery has dissipated. 'Typically at this time of the year everyone is rushing to get things through before the August break,' said one parliament official this week in Strasbourg. 'This year no one knows quite what to do.' For example, a climate emission package which had been due to be announced on 20 July may be delayed. The proposal – which is hugely important for Ireland, given the country’s challenge in reaching EU emissions targets – includes detailed emissions calculations for each member state, including Britain. However, this week there were signs that the EU legislative process was churning back into action, with the commissioners announcing two decisions, one to finalise a trade deal with Canada.