All-island Brexit forum could still go ahead, says Enda Kenny

An all-island forum to respond to Brexit – dismissed out of hand by the North's First Minister Arlene Foster – could yet proceed, the Taoiseach told Opposition leaders on Thursday.

The Government remains keen to pursue an "all-island dimension" in response to the Leave result, Mr Kenny said, and the idea could be revisited, perhaps in a different way.

Mr Kenny met the leaders of all Opposition groups in Government Buildings on Thursday. He said the Government still wanted to “progress an all-island dimension in an inclusive way”.

Opposition leaders suggested a cross-Border forum be set up, regardless of whether unionist parties would participate. However, it is understood the Government’s preference is for full participation and it will pursue different avenues to see if it is possible.

Mr Kenny told leaders he has instructed Ministers and senior officials to increase the number of trade missions to European countries.

Every avenue

Mr Kenny has insisted his Government will use every avenue to engage with European leaders to ensure Ireland has significant support at the EU.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Independent TD Michael Harty told the Taoiseach there were significant opportunities for Ireland from Brexit and those must be explored.

Mr Kenny said the steps to reorganise his own Department of the Taoiseach to allow the setting up of an effective "Brexit" division were well advanced, as were plans for the Cabinet committee chaired by him, and the negotiating team, which will be in place ahead of the first formal meeting in Slovakia in September.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will also have a crucial role in the negotiations with the European Parliament and the EU Commission.

The Irish Times understands Rory Montgomery, the second secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach and one of the highest-ranking civil servants in the State, is to return to the Department of Foreign Affairs as a second secretary general to lead the Brexit preparations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will lead on the Irish participation in the UK-EU negotiations, while the overview – including on domestic matters and Northern Ireland – will remain in the Department of the Taoiseach, a source said. Another second secretary general is to be recruited to replace Mr Montgomery in the Taoiseach’s department.

“The direction will come from the Department of the Taoiseach while implementation will come from Foreign Affairs,” said another source.

Strengthening key missions abroad – including Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London – is likely to proceed in autumn.

Mr Kenny also consulted with the leaders about progress in the Commission of Investigation into transactions by the IBRC. He said he expected Mr Justice Brian Cregan would report back on the Siteserv sale by the end of 2016.