Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he believes the Government is well on its way to achieving much of what it wanted to achieve in the Brexit negotiations.
He said these included a suitable transition period, to protect the Common Travel Area, and progress on avoiding a hard border.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Marian Finucane show, Mr Varadkar said, however, that the UK's departure from the EU was posing problems.
"Irish-British relations were at their closest ever, and then came Brexit," he said.
He added: "Brexit is not our policy, Brexit is their policy, it is a disruption and it is causing problems for us."
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He said he does not think that Ireland will need to use its veto, and he said he had never threatened to use the veto.
Mr Varadkar added that the veto is something that is used when countries are isolated.
He said Ireland has 26 countries behind it, as well as European solidarity.
He said the Government's position was one of common sense, to allow trade and travel to continue as before.
Mr Varadkar also said that given the events of the past week, there was a need to see a lot of reform, particularly in the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána.
He confirmed he would be appointing a senior barrister to carry out an investigation into the emails that were discovered in relation to garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe and why they were not handed over to the Disclosures Tribunal.
He said that having seen this go on for too long and having seen the loss of a colleague this week, he is more determined than ever to make sure that the Government drive reform in the Department of Justice and the Gardaí.
On Frances Fitzgerald's resignation, the Taoiseach said he wanted to stand by a colleague who he does not think did any wrong.
He said there is a certain amount of evidence and the tribunal will be able to look at all its evidence.
The Taoiseach also said he is determined to make this Government last.
He said he did not think it was the first time an Irish Government has gone through a political crisis but he does not think they are weakened.
