Taoiseach Kenny insists Ireland’s economic recovery can survive Brexit

DUBLIN, Ireland - Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that "papers are being prepared" on ways to minimise customs checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic once Britain leave the European Union.

Post U.K. Prime Minister's Theresa May's speech outlining her Brexit strategy in which she said “no return to the borders of the past,” Kenny remarked discussions had accelerated on how to minimize the need for a hard border with customs posts on the island of Ireland.

He said both he and May have agreed that they do not want to see a return to a hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland, while acknowledging there is no solution yet but said he was confident one would be found.

“In terms of the border, there will only be the one land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland when Britain is removed, removes itself from the European Union,” he said.

Theresa May earlier shared similar views. 

"The taoiseach and I, and all parties, are absolutely on the single page on this that we want to ensure that we have the best possible arrangement that does not lead to a border of the past for Northern Ireland," she said while replying to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who asked if the U..K will pay to access the single market post-Brexit.

Meanwhile, Kenny also said he has a plan in place and there is no question about the safety of Ireland’s economic recovery.

“I’m very confident and very optimistic that Ireland continues to be a very attractive location, both for investment from abroad, and for the possibilities for expansion of indigenous Irish industries."

“Yes, of course, in terms of currency fluctuations there are challenges, that’s an undoubted fact, but we’re continuing to be competitive, looking at new markets, at new opportunities. I’m very optimistic about the future,” he remarked.

Enda Kenny also insisted Ireland’s economic recovery can survive Brexit amid claims by the government that more than 100 companies are considering moving to this country in the wake of last June’s vote.

In an interview with CNBC, he also emphasized that Ireland’s government is ‘stable’ and that there is no chance of an election this year.

“It is, and it means that you think differently,” Kenny said on being asked if he thought the government was stable.

“It means that you reach out to other parties, that you hear other voices, that you work on a programme which is published, which is transparent and accountable and you sign deals with other parties on certain issues to keep government working in the interest of the people,” he said from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

However, in Ireland, opposition parties continued to express criticism at the lack of a clear, public plan for coping with the Brexit fallout.

“The Taoiseach needs to step up his engagements with other member states, particularly smaller states,” Fianna Fáil European affairs spokesperson Sean Haughey said.