RTE has today reported that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UK on their future trading and political relationships ahead of the start of any negotiations between Britain and the EU.
 
Mr Kenny said that any future arrangements on customs checks on the island of Ireland depended on the nature of the relationship Britain was seeking with the EU. Mr Kenny also said that Theresa May told EU leaders that she wants an early agreement on the status of Britons living on the continent and EU citizens in the UK after Brexit.

The push for an early agreement on the status of citizens comes amid concern from many European leaders about the rights of their nationals in the UK after Brexit.
 
Speaking following a meeting of the heads of government of the 27 member states remaining in the European Union, Mr Kenny told reporters, "Obviously a bilateral deal is not available in the context of Ireland being a member of the European Union negotiating team. We have agreed, because of the Common Travel Area, which has applied since 1922, that nobody should lose any benefits from that, and obviously we have made it very clear to all of the leaders the importance of the peace process, our own economy, Interreg Funds, Peace Funds and no return to a hard border."
 
Mr Kenny added, "Until it becomes clear what sort of relationship the UK actually wants to have with the future European Union, it's then you can make the decisions and negotiate on those decisions after Article 50 is triggered."

Source: www.businessworld.ie