Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Technically speaking, under Article 50, no formal negotiations begin until that matter is dealt with.

Deputy Howlin and I know that, in the real world, these things have a habit of running in parallel.

Deputy Moynihan raised the question about the Government and London. The Prime Minister herself has referred to the special relationships between the Republic and Northern Ireland and between Ireland and Great Britain. We want to see those special relationships maintained. The Deputy said there is not enough urgency. I cannot move Article 50 and neither can anybody else, except the British Government. That is what everybody signed up for and voted on so many years ago. Not until the British Government moves Article 50 will the negotiations for exit be triggered. When the Deputy says there is not enough urgency, the 27 member states are not beavering around wondering what time this letter is coming in to say that Britain is moving out. The discussions that we are having are making arrangements for the options that we are going to have to deal with and the possible outcomes of all of those options - they cover a wide a range of things - in order that we are well prepared and that everybody knows our particular and specific circumstances.

To respond to Deputy Ryan, there is nothing to stop people writing to the Prime Minister, but I cannot control her diary or the events that she attends. She did indicate that she is coming here and I will be very happy to receive her and hopefully have a really worthwhile discussion about some of the issues Deputies have raised in the House.

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