TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY will invite Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster to his all-Ireland Brexit forum despite her shooting down the idea in June.

On the first day of the new Dáil term, Kenny confirmed he will convene an “all-island, all-Ireland” forum.

Kenny first floated the idea after Britain voted to leave the European Union in June.

However, the North’s largest Unionist party said it wasn’t interested in the idea.

During a visit to Dublin, the DUP leader pointedly told the media that such a cross-border forum would not be happening.

For my part, I believe there are more than enough mechanisms by which we can discuss these issues, on a north, south basis.

And frankly I don’t believe we need any mechanisms because we can lift the phone to each other on a daily basis if that were so needed to have these discussions.

Despite Foster knocking back the idea, Kenny is pressing on with the conference, which will discuss the negative effects of the British decision to leave the EU.

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Kenny told Dáil members today that the forum will be a “conversation” between business people, members of civic society and political parties.

Our intention is to protect this country’s vital national interest in these Brexit talks.

There is a great deal of confusion out there at the moment and a great deal of uncertainty, not only in Britain but also in Europe, arising, indeed, from the meeting I attended recently in Bratislava.

I have asked all ministers to engage with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in respect of the forthcoming North-South Ministerial Council.

It is understood the forum will be held in November.

Last week, Kenny said he believes the British prime minister will begin the process of Brexit at the end of January by invoking Article 50.

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