“Should it arise at some point in the future that the people, by consent, were to form a united Ireland, we would need to ensure a seamless transfer into the EU as happened in the case of East and West Germany. So we want the wording of this internationally binding agreement included in the negotiated Brexit outcomes.” Enda Kenny PM of Ireland

A recent visit to the EU Parliament by the Prime Minister of Ireland, Enda Kenny, was met with reassurances by President  Antonio Tajani about the nation’s future with the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

“Brexit will be a particular challenge for Ireland and its people,” said the Parliament President Antonio Tajani.

The Irish Prime Minister described the main areas of concern as the Irish peace process, maintaining the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and future relations with the UK.

He assured President Tajani that Ireland would remain a member of the European Union but spoke of the unique set of circumstances in Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister Kenny also said that any Brexit deal would need to allow for Irish reunification in line with the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement:

“Should it arise at some point in the future that the people, by consent, were to form a united Ireland, we would need to ensure a seamless transfer into the EU as happened in the case of East and West Germany. So we want the wording of this internationally binding agreement included in the negotiated Brexit outcomes.”

President Tajani said:

“Ireland must ensure that its economic and trade links with the UK are protected. Secondly, it needs to make certain that the achievement of the Good Friday agreement which brought peace to Northern Ireland is included in any future deal between the UK and the European Union.”

He added: “Both issues will have the full attention of the European Parliament.”

The UK Government is set to trigger Article 50 in a matter of weeks. This will be the  formal notification of the UK’s decision to exit the EU and when negotiations will begin.