Irish PM: no return to hard border with north after Brexit

Enda Kenny calls Brexit Ireland’s greatest challenge since independence and signals intent to retain freedom of movement. Ireland’s prime minister has described Brexit as “the greatest challenge” facing his country since the creation of the Irish state after gaining independence from Britain.

Enda Kenny also claimed that he and Theresa May were determined there would be “no return to the borders of the past” on the island of Ireland.

Speaking at an all-island conference on Brexit’s impact, Kenny said he been assured by May that there would be no “hard border” between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Addressing delegates in Dublin from the world of politics, business, trade unions and community organisations, Kenny said his government would continue to be the “guarantor” of the Good Friday agreement and its emphasis on freedom of movement across the border on the island.