Following a meeting with the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Downing Street, Theresa May repeated her commitment not to return to hard borders between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
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Brexit will not undermine the peace process, the Prime Minister has said, as she insisted the United Kingdom would continue to have the “closest possible relationship” with Ireland.
The border between the two countries has been open since the Common Travel Act was passed in 1923, allowing free travel between Ireland, Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
The future of that frontier is unclear and could be complicated because it would be the UK’s only land border with the EU. Larry is our main news editor.
“Hard borders would not be accepted in the south or the north”, said Kenny.
The Irish PM met with his British counterpart, Theresa May, in Downing Street to discuss the repercussions of last month’s European Union referendum.
Mr Kenny also said while many obstacles lay ahead in the Brexit process, it was in Ireland’s interests to see its neighbour prosper outside the EU.
She also explained the important, special relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom and how it was vital to preserve such a bond.
On the peace process, Mrs May said: ” It is in all our interests to work together to safeguard our national security and the outcome of the referendum will not undermine it.
“Indeed, it is vital that that we keep up the momentum on tackling paramilitary groups and building a shared future”.
Mr Kenny’s visit came after the Prime Minister yesterday travelled to Belfast for talks with First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness.
On becoming prime minister, Theresa May called her counterparts in Berlin, Paris and Dublin in that order.
“It is testament to the importance of the relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland that Enda is amongst the first leaders that I have met since I took office”, May said.
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“I firmly believe that we can make a success of Brexit and take our relationship forwards not backwards”, said May, referring to the “deep and important” relationship between Britain and Ireland.
