Enda Kenny and Theresa May at their meeting in Dublin Monday. RollingsNews.ie photo.
By Evan Short
Taoiseach Enda Kenny says that although Ireland and Britain’s paths are diverging over Europe, both countries’ common interests remain the same.
The taoiseach was speaking after meeting British Prime Minister Theresa May in Dublin on Monday.
It was Mrs. May’s first visit to Dublin since she took office.
Their discussion took place hours after Mrs. May took part in a Brexit talks meeting in Wales with the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and the new Sinn Féin leader in the North, Michelle O’Neill.
Speaking after the Dublin meeting Mr. Kenny said they discussed a wide range of issues.
“We discussed the recent political developments in Northern Ireland and the implications that Brexit will have for the North for relationships across these islands,” he said.
“We have once again reiterated our joint and continuing commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and its institutions and our shared desire to see a fully functioning Executive back in place as soon as possible.
“I emphasized to the prime minister the importance of finding a way forward on outstanding commitment, and in particular on issues like the Legacy institution under the Stormont House Agreement, and the Irish language.”
He said the two governments had agreed that a close “friction-free” relationship is in the best interest between the UK and the EU, including Ireland.
Prime Minister May said she wanted to see a “seamless, frictionless border” after Brexit.
She said she understood the ability for people to move freely across the Irish border is “an essential part of daily life.”
“We need to find a solution which enables us to have as seamless and frictionless a border as possible between Northern Ireland and Ireland so that we can continue to see the trade, the everyday movements that we have seen up to now.”
