Government to intensify Brexit preparations

Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan has welcomed the UK’s announcement to begin the process of leaving the EU before March 2017.

British prime minister Thesera May said “there will be no unnecessary delays” in invoking Article 50, which triggers Brexit talks, adding the process would start “no later than the end of March next year”.

She said Northern Ireland and Scotland, which voted to remain in the EU, would not be allowed any opt-outs from negotiations, which will last two years.