Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be honest, I hope that regardless of when the negotiations start, they can be concluded within the period referred to by the Deputy. In light of the decision of the British people, it is in our interest for Britain to have access to the Single Market. It is perfectly clear that if such access is to be given, the four fundamental freedoms will have to be accepted. One of those freedoms is the free movement of people.

I cannot say what the outcome of the British Prime Ministerial election will be. It is a matter for the Conservative Party to decide whether to elect a person who supported the "Leave" campaign or a person who supported the "Remain" campaign. That person will have a short period of time in which to make his or her mind up and announce what his or her strategy is for Britain. We cannot have negotiations until we have a sense of what Britain wants and what structure it is looking for. I have mentioned some of the possibilities already.

I hope we do not reach a point at which the WTO circumstances apply here. That would obviously create difficulties for us. The best thing for Ireland is for the UK to have access to the Single Market in a way that allows us to continue to trade as we are trading. At the same time, the UK must accept that the principles of the EU have to be applied.

I will conclude on this point. Europe is an evolving peace process. Central to our thinking here is not only the links in terms of the common travel area, but also Northern Ireland issues such as the maintenance of a free and open Border and the development of a prosperous, peaceful and outgoing Northern Ireland.