Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was reflecting what the First Minister of Scotland had said. Her view and that of the Scottish Parliament is that Scotland should not be dragged out of the EU against its wishes. That is why she wanted to go to Brussels: to talk to the President of the Commission and the President of the Parliament. I cannot interfere in the negotiation process in the case of a state like that. I cannot speculate on what the outcome might eventually be.

Obviously, we want to continue to develop our links with Northern Ireland. We want to maintain an open Border if that is possible. I do not accept the proposition that there should be a Border poll in this regard. It is important for us to make it a real priority to maintain the peace process. Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, there is a €3 billion fund on the table from the EU between now and 2020. We want to see that money spent in those communities, which are still fragile as we emerge from a turbulent time.