‘We prepared for this’... Taoiseach moves to allay fears among Irish in UK

ENDA Kenny sought to address the anxieties of Irish people living in Britain at a press conference yesterday following an emergency Cabinet meeting.

There are 800,000 Irish citizens living in the UK, many of them young professionals – and fears have been growing among the emigrants who took up work in our neighbour following the crash in 2008 about their future in the event of Brexit.

‘We are acutely aware of the concerns which will be felt across the Irish community in Britain,’ the Taoiseach said. ‘I want to assure them that the Irish Government will have their interests in our thinking as we approach the forthcoming negotiations. It is important to remember that the position of Irish citizens within the EU will be unaffected.’

Mr Kenny said he was ‘very sorry that the result of the referendum was for the UK to leave the European Union’. Nonetheless, the British people had spoken and the Irish Government fully respects their decision, he said.

Mr Kenny said he wanted to assure the Irish public ‘that we have prepared to the greatest extent possible for this eventuality’. The implications of this vote for Northern Ireland and for relations between North and South would require careful consideration, he said.

‘We will approach these issues in the same spirit of partnership that has underpinned the peace process and has transformed relationships on this island since the Good Friday Agreement,’ said Mr Kenny. He also said he welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s clear statement that Northern Ireland’s interests would be fully reflected in the British government’s negotiating position.

‘I will meet with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Executive on Monday week at the North/South Ministerial Council, where we will have detailed discussions on how to best approach these new circumstances – acting in the best interests of all of the people of Ireland, North and South,’ said the Taoiseach.

A related concern was the future of the Common Travel Area between Britain and Ireland, he said. ‘The Irish Government will do its utmost in the upcoming discussions to maintain the Common Travel Area and minimise any possible disruptions to the flow of people, goods and services between these islands,’ Mr Kenny pledged.

He also said that ‘the Minister for Finance and his officials are in close contact with the Central Bank, the NTMA (National Treasury Management Agency) and our international partners to ensure that any short-term market volatility is carefully managed’.

Mr Kenny said Ireland will ‘of course’ remain a member of the EU, adding: ‘We must now begin a period of reflection and debate on how we can renew the Union of 27 and equip it for the challenges ahead.’