Government falling behind on Brexit: FF

FIANNA Fáil leader Micheál Martin has claimed the Government is playing “catch-up” on Brexit.

He argued in the Dáil there was no evidence of the Government seriously engaging with Brexit until after the referendum. Mr Martin warned that core strengths Ireland has built up over decades won’t be enough to avoid dramatic economic disruption.

He said the Government needed to move from general statements to specific proposals, adding: “Too much time has already been wasted.”

He made the criticisms after Taoiseach Enda Kenny briefed the Dáil on the upcoming negotiations for the UK leaving the European Union.

The Government has repeatedly insisted that preparations for a potential Brexit began long before the 2016 referendum.

In his earlier statement to the House, Mr Kenny said the Government had been preparing thoroughly for Brexit for more than two years.