Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Extending this period would require unanimous approval by the European Council. In theory, given that this has never happened previously, the formal negotiations as to the kind of framework that would apply should only begin then because the article states that the future framework must be taken into account before the country leaves the EU. How can it be taken into account if one has not defined what it actually means? These will be highly complex considerations and there will be rigours and complications.

In respect of Deputy Mary Lou McDonald's point, we have had the first meeting of the all-island forum and 12 sectoral groups are now meeting. The second meeting of the all-island forum will take place on 17 February. The issues we have raised and which have been agreed at the North-South Ministerial Council and other locations were referred to specifically by the British Prime Minister yesterday. Clearly, there are matters of serious import but I assure the House that we have been preparing for this for some time without knowing the details of what decisions would be made.

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