We learned a little from Theresa May's visit to Enda Kenny— but not enough

Enda Kenny and his giddy advisers were on their best behaviour for the visit of Theresa May. But there was a touch of the absent landlord visiting the land, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

THE visit of any British prime minister is a milestone event, as it allows our political leaders pretend to be international players, even for a brief moment.

As the grey clouds hung low over Dublin, the ominous mood of the international political landscape appeared to be reflected in the dank weather conditions.

Everyone, from Taoiseach Enda Kenny to his giddy advisers, were on their best behaviour for the visit of Theresa May who was still recovering from her seismic meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington last Friday.

His controversial immigration executive order and the widespread hysteria it has caused was the number one issue on everyone’s lips.

It even managed to trump the issue of Brexit, if you pardon the pun.

It was after 4.30pm when Ms May’s sizeable motorcade whizzed into the splendid courtyard of Government Buildings, with considerable traffic jams being caused to facilitate her.

Greeted by an army officer, who offered a brisk salute, Ms May stepped out of her Land Rover to be greeted by the hand of Mr Kenny.

Dressed in a dark blue overcoat, which seemed fitting for the occasion, the two posed on the steps for the waiting media before disappearing into the bowels of the building which was previously the Royal College of Science.

One could not help but think there was a little touch of the absent landlord visiting the land about Ms May’s visit, who had swung by Cardiff earlier in the day.

The site of the union flag flying overhead was a slightly unsettling one, given the events of the past and all that.

While the impact of the British decision to leave the EU was the primary reason for the visit, events in the US stole the show and it dominated the highly controlled and stage-managed press conference.

Neither leader is that comfortable departing from the script and yesterday was a dreadfully rigid affair.

There was more warmth standing out in the cold waiting for Ms May to arrive than when herself and Enda were on the dais.

For his part, following some stern prompting from his Cabinet — most pointedly Minister Katherine Zappone — Mr Kenny told reporters he has ordered a “full review” of US immigration pre-clearance operations here in Ireland.

“In respect of the policy used by the American government, I disagree with it. I will say that to the president [Trump] and the vice-president [Mike Pence] when I meet with them.

"I have asked for a complete review now of the pre-clearance facilities here in Ireland in respect of the three departments that are handling this so we can be clear of the importance of it,” said Mr Kenny.

“It must be remembered that pre-clearance brings enormous convenience to a lot of people so these are issues we are happy to negotiate on. I don’t agree with this policy and he will hear my reasons when I meet him.”

Mr Kenny was speaking at about the same time that news broke of the first person being stopped at Dublin Airport on foot of Mr Trump’s executive order.

For her part, Ms May, or “My Maggie” as Mr Trump has called her, took a softer line.

“In respect of the policies which have been announced by the United States, the UK takes a different approach,” she said.

“At no stage in the six years when I was home secretary did I introduce those sort of arrangements. Obviously, President Trump has been elected and has implemented what he promised he would. But we have a different approach.”

Both leaders were asked whether they would break off upcoming engagements with Mr Trump in protest at his immigration diktat.

Ms May has invited Mr Trump to Britain for a state visit in June and told her reporters that “the invitation still stands”.

Mr Kenny, for his part, spoke at some length as to the long-standing ties between Ireland and the US. and explained that the St Patrick’s Day invitation to the White House is an invitation accepted on behalf of the people of Ireland and that he still intends going.

Mr Kenny said he will use the opportunity to speak to Mr Trump “face to face” and tell him of his disapproval.

“I’m sure Trump is quaking in his boots now,” came the unsympathetic response from some in the press corps.

But the Taoiseach and Ms May did manage to squeeze some chat about Brexit and its potential impact on us into their meeting.

Ms May insisted there will be no return to a hard border between the Republic and Northern Ireland after Britain leaves the EU, but gave no details as to how that will be achieved.

Mr Kenny backed Ms May’s goal of securing a “friction-free” trading relationship with the EU after Brexit, but alas no details.

Ms May said the UK will remain a reliable partner for Ireland, adding that familial ties between the countries are strong. She said there will be no “return to the borders of the past”.

She also reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the Belfast agreement and successor agreements.

The Taoiseach said helping Ms May to agree a deal to keep UK-EU trade as close as possible would be an “absolute priority” for Ireland ahead of Brexit negotiations.

Setting out her strategy this month, Ms May strongly hinted that Britain could leave the European customs union, stating that she wanted “frictionless” cross-border trade, but had an “open mind” on whether it should be done through associate membership or a new agreement.

Mr Kenny echoed her language, suggesting he would support the strategy during the divorce talks.

“Our two governments are agreed that a close and friction-free economic and trading relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, including Ireland, is in our very best interests,” he said.

“And as the UK prepares for its formal notification under Article 50, we want to see that these deep trading ties between our two countries are recognised and facilitated.

“That will continue to be an absolute priority for my Government, not just in our discussions with the British government but also with our EU partners, as we prepare for the negotiation process on the EU side of the table.”

Mr Kenny and Ms May insisted they do not want to see a return to the “border of the past” between the North and the Republic.

“We have of course said we do not want to see a return to the border of the past — that isn’t just a phrase, actually it symbolises the sort of seamless, frictionless border that we want to see in the future,” said Ms May.

“Of course there are elements of full membership of the customs union that would restrict our ability to trade and do trade agreements with other parts of the world.

“And of course we also want to ensure that we carry on with the common travel area, which was in existence long before either of us were members of the European Union or its predecessors.”

And with that, she was gone again, leaving us a little clearer on matters. And I mean a little.