By Elaine Loughlin, Political Reporter
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has promised to “make the case for Ireland’s national interest” with European leaders when it comes to Brexit negotiations.
Arriving at the European Union Council Summit in Brussels this afternoon, Mr Kenny said Britain needed to be given some time to consider how it will exit Europe but added that: “You can’t have a drift into uncertainty here.”
. @EndaKennyTD arrives at EU council summit in Brussels #Brexit #iestaff pic.twitter.com/hsAyBDfjEF
— Elaine Loughlin (@Elaine_Loughlin) June 28, 2016
The 28 leaders of the European Union are gathering this afternoon to discuss the fallout from Friday’s Brexit vote. The crunch meeting is expected to continue into the early hours of tomorrow morning.
The heads of State will then meet again over breakfast tomorrow morning. However, British prime minister David Cameron will not attend this meeting.
Arriving at the summit Mr Kenny said: “I am going to attend this meeting as Taoiseach and I am going to make the case for Ireland’s national interest here in terms of our economy, in terms of our common travel area, in terms of the peace process and an open border with Northern Ireland.
“Obviously the discussions that will take place eventually in relation to the relationship between the EU and the UK will be central to that and obviously we want to be party to those discussions and those negotiations.”
He said he was not in favour of pushing Brexit negotiations down the line but added that he was “happy” that British leader David Cameron had said that the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty which begins the exit process would be done by a new prime minister.
“I agree that there should be some little time given to the Conservative Party to elect a new prime minister. That has been brought forward by a month (to September) and I think that’s good – that is going to give a sense of stability before the triggering of Article 50.
“And that new prime minister, whoever that may be, he or she will have to determine what their views are.
He said the new prime minister “may need some time, but you can’t have a drift into uncertainty here”.
Mr Kenny attended the European People’s Party (EPP) summit this morning where other members including Angela Merkel, Jean Claude Juncker and Nicolas Sarkozy discussed their combined position on Brexit.
The Taoiseach said EPP members were “very well aware” of Ireland’s very special position in relation to exit negotiations.
“EPP countries are well aware of Ireland’s position but I will articulate and our people will articulate very strongly what our vital national interests are here,” he said.
