François Hollande backs Enda Kenny’s position in Brexit talks

Enda Kenny’s negotiating position in the Brexit talks has been strengthened after French president François Hollande said Ireland was in a “special situation” following Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

Mr Hollande also stressed France understood the importance of the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process, a point which is likely to favour Ireland when Brexit talks begin.

But the French president also pushed for Britain to strike a deal “sooner rather than later” to leave the EU, a position contrary to Ireland’s hopes of a drawn-out process.