Donald Tusk to meet Taoiseach for Brexit talks

The serious problems confronting Ireland as a result of Brexit will form a key part of discussions in Dublin early next month between European Council president Donald Tusk and Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr Kenny has already made a concerted effort to inform key EU leaders of the particular problems Ireland will face when the UK leaves the union.

Mr Tusk has called a special meeting of 27 EU leaders, excluding the British, to be held in Bratislava on September 16th.

In advance of that gathering he is planning a round of meetings with EU heads of government and intends to visit Dublin on September 7th.

Mr Tusk will meet German chancellor Angela Merkel for a working dinner next Thursday to kick off his engagement with European leaders.

The particular difficulties faced by Ireland following the UK exit will be covered in the talks between Mr Kenny and Mr Tusk.

In his discussions to date with other EU leaders, including Dr Merkel and new British prime minister Theresa May, Mr Kenny has focused on the need to avoid a return to the hard Border between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Trade disruption

The threat to the continuation of common travel between Ireland and the UK, and the potential disruption of trade in the aftermath of Brexit are other key concerns for the Government.

Mr Tusk is conducting his round of meetings in advance of the Bratislava summit in an effort to tease out the concerns of the different EU members sates.

He will ultimately attempt to devise a co-ordinated approach from all of them in the negotiations that will take place with the British when article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty triggering the EU exit is invoked.

EU relationship

That process is not likely to happen for at least six months as the British attempt to work out what kind of relationship they would like to have with the EU in the future.

The problem Mr Tusk faces in attempting to get a unified approach to the negotiations is that until the British have decided what they want, it is impossible for the rest of the EU to devise a response.

According to British media reports, ministers there have expressed the view that the UK could remain in the EU until the end of 2019 because of the complexity of the negotiations that will have to take place.

Ms May was expected to invoke article 50 early next year but is likely to postpone that deadline for a number of reasons.

According to financial sources in the city of London, the new Brexit and international trade departments are already behind schedule and will not be ready to start talks in the new year.

Chaotic administration

The new Brexit department, headed by David Davies, and the department of international trade, headed by Liam Fox, are both said to be chaotic.

Both departments are understaffed, with the Brexit department having recruited less than half of the 250 officials needed as a minimum.

There are similar problems in the trade department with far fewer trade policy experts available than will be required for the complex negotiations ahead.