Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Howlin raised several important issues, central to which is the nature of the proposition from the European Union. Of course, when Article 50 was written it was on the basis that no one would ever leave the European Union but as the saying goes, events, dear boy, events take place. Article 50 also states one cannot start formal negotiations until a country has completed its exit.

Deputy Howlin knows as well as do I that we cannot have two years of discussions about leaving without taking into account what Article 50 states and how it relates to the future framework relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. How do we ensure that Europe understands us? That is what I have been trying to say. We have had an intense engagement at leader level, ministerial level and at all the Council meetings.

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