Brexit will not mean hard border, leaders vow

Theresa May and Enda Kenny in Dublin, where they vowed to protect close links between the UK and Ireland
Theresa May and Enda Kenny in Dublin, where they vowed to protect close links between the UK and Ireland
CHRIS BELLEW/FENNELL PHOTOGRAPHY/PA WIRE

Securing agreement on “seamless and frictionless” trade and travel across the border will be the shared key objective of Enda Kenny and Theresa May when formal Brexit negotiations begin.

The taoiseach described talks with the British prime minister as frank and constructive after the pair held a 90-minute meeting at Government Buildings yesterday.

Discussions were dominated by Britain’s preparations for leaving the EU, the common interests of the two counties and the uncertainty in Northern Ireland.

The two leaders also defied calls to cancel their respective forthcoming engagements with President Trump despite global outcry over his travel ban affecting refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries.

Mr Kenny said that a review would take place of Ireland’s pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports