Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, we have the British-Irish Council that meets on a six-monthly basis. It includes Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and so on. That is a useful forum for discussing some things. One of the issues that was raised at the last meeting was the fact that some of the islands' allegiance is not to Downing Street or the European Parliament, but to the crown. If one proceeds down that line, what is the right of any of the Channel Islands if they do not agree with an arrangement? I am not sure that there is either a constitutional or legal response to that. It is a useful forum and it is going to meet again fairly soon. As Brexit begins to proceed it will become a source of even more focus from all of those states. It is attended by the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the First Minister from Scotland, the First Minister from Wales, myself and whoever can from the British Government. It gives that sort of north, south, east and west engagement at a political level. I find it to be a useful forum. If it was necessary, it could meet once a quarter during this period. That might be possible. It is a matter for the executive to decide whether it would be worthwhile doing that or not. I am all for co-operation. Clearly, Scotland is in a different position to Wales and Wales is in a different position to Northern Ireland in the way they voted on Brexit.

2 o’clock

However, it is the totality of the vote that the British Government states is the decision. Given that Brexit is now irreversible we must deal with the consequences of the decision of the electorate. In this sense we are preparing all of these strategies and various contingencies. Until such time as we are clear what it is we must negotiate with the British Government we will get on with our business of looking after our citizens, our economy, our jobs, the issues of credit, new markets for our exporters abroad and greater assistance for Enterprise Ireland, which continues to be a strong advocate for investment in the country. Yesterday, the Government approved a process of competing for the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency to be located in Ireland. We have as good a chance as anybody else. These things are all there to be won, because they will make decisions to move and they want to know to where they will move. This collaboration is always important and we will continue it.

See this speech in context