Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Taoiseach his views on the British Prime Minister, Ms Theresa May's speech on 17 January 2017 and in particular her comments on Ireland. [3073/17]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister’s speech provides greater clarity on the proposed approach of the British Government to the Brexit negotiation process.

I note that the Prime Minister has made clear that the UK wishes to secure the closest possible future economic relationship with the EU.That is an objective we share. Prime Minister May made clear that her priorities include maintaining the common travel area and avoiding a return to a hard border with Northern Ireland, both of which are welcome.

From our perspective, our overall negotiation priorities remain unchanged: our economy and trade, Northern Ireland, including the Peace Process and border issues, the common travel area, and the future of the European Union.

I recognise the alignment between our economic and trading concerns and the objective of the UK to have a close, and friction-free, economic and trading relationship with the EU, including with Ireland.

I am under no illusions about the challenges that remain to be addressed.

Both I and Government Ministers will continue to meet and engage with our EU counterparts over coming weeks to emphasise Ireland’s concerns and to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence.

This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level. The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for the Irish economy and will remain fully engaged on this aspect as the negotiations proceed.