Enda Kenny: No deal yet on avoiding ‘Brexit’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said a deal aimed at avoiding “Brexit” from the European Union will not be finalised this week as previously expected.

Speaking at a briefing for political correspondents in Dublin, Mr Kenny said a deal will now not be finalised until February at least.

But Mr Kenny did emphasise that Ireland will “support” Prime Minister David Cameron “where we can” at a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels today.

“For us here, the discussions that will take place on David Cameron’s presentation to the EU Council are of exceptional importance. It will not be decided tomorrow, the expectation is it will be decided on in February,” he said.

“Clearly we will emphasise and we will support the prime minister where we can. What is required out of the discussions tomorrow are the indications for the prime minister to get a strong and unassailable package from the members of the EU.

“You know Ireland’s view, our strongest neighbour, the absolute importance of the EU continuing to have the UK as a strong and central member of that union. The questions that will be spelt out by the prime minister and will be reflected upon and hopefully finalised in February,” Mr Kenny added.

Mr Cameron has insisted his EU membership renegotiation will deliver a “good deal for Britain” after predecessor John Major, yesterday warned against flirting with leaving the union.

The prime minister mounted a staunch defence of his record on getting concessions from European counterparts ahead of the crucial summit in Brussels today.

The comments came as a poll suggested the outcome of the negotiation could have a major impact on the looming in-out referendum, which is due to be held by the end of 2017.

The ComRes research for the Open Europe think-tank found a comfortable majority — 56% to 35% — in favour of staying in the EU under existing rules, and that hardened to 65% against 26% if Mr Cameron secured all his demands.

However, if there was no agreement on protection for non-eurozone countries the “Leave” camp would move narrowly ahead, by 46% to 45%.

Although an agreement will not be reached at this week’s talks, Mr Cameron is hoping to get a final deal by February.

He has refused to rule out supporting Brexit if he fails to achieve his aims.

Former PM John Major, whose own leadership was undermined by bitter internal rows over Europe, said: “My view is this renegotiation is important but it shouldn’t decide whether or not we remain inside the European Union.”