An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said this Friday that he was “very sorry” that the UK had voted to leave the EU, but added that the Irish Government had “prepared to the greatest extent possible for this eventuality”.

“There will be no immediate change to the free flow of people, goods and services between our islands,” he said after a cabinet meeting in Dublin at midday.

An Taoiseach acknowledged the potential impacts for trade, the economy and Northern Ireland, as well as the common travel area and the EU itself.

“We have engaged in detailed contingency planning for the possibility of this result. Today, at Government, we agreed to publish a summary of the key actions we will now take to address the contingencies arising from the UK’s decision,” he said.

An Taoiseach will brief opposition leaders on Friday afternoon and has recalled the Dáil for Monday.

Earlier on Friday, IFA president Joe Healy called for a “clear strategy on the next steps” from the Government and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said that Ireland’s focus now must be to minimise the damage caused by this result.

“While Ireland’s future lies within the European Union, Ireland’s strong and close relationship with the UK will remain,” Enda Kenny concluded.

Stay tuned to www.farmersjournal.ie for farming-related key actions from the Government’s response to Brexit when it is published later today.

Hogan’s “regret”

European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said: “I regret but respect the decision of the British people to leave the European Union. I echo the call of President Juncker for a swift and decisive negotiation, pursuant to Article 50, in the interests of both sides. It’s essential that we set in train the essential steps to bring clarity and stability to the 27-member bloc as quickly as possible.”

Article 50 of the European Union Treaty sets out the modalities for a country to exit the EU, with a maximum two-year period allowed for negotiations to take place after the country officially notifies Brussels of its decision to leave.

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