The Taoiseach has said he has told his ministers that this year's budget would have to be 'Brexit proofed'.
Speaking at an event organised by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce also attended by the UK's Minister for Exiting the EU, David Davis, Enda Kenny said Britain's decision has implications for a small, open economy like ours.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan held talks with Mr Davis prior to the event, where the Laois TD warned it was time for the UK to move beyond slogans and into the process of leaving Europe.
Meanwhile, European Council president Donald Tusk has told Theresa May "the ball is now in your court" as the pair discussed the Brexit process at Downing Street.
In a sign that Brussels was waiting for Mrs May to clarify when she will trigger Article 50, Mr Tusk said it was a "crucial time" for the UK and for the EU and he wanted the process to start "as soon as possible".
The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will hold talks in Bratislava next week and Mr Tusk said they would "discuss the political consequences of Brexit" for Europe.
But he told Ms May: "It doesn't mean that we are going to discuss our future relations with the UK in Bratislava, because for this - and especially for the start of the negotiations - we need the formal notification, I mean triggering Article 50.
"This is the position shared by all 27 member states. To put it simply, the ball is now in your court.
"I'm aware that it is not easy but I still hope you will be ready to start the process as soon as possible.
"I have no doubt that at the end of the day our common strategic goal is to establish the closest possible relations."
Ms May said she wanted a "smooth" Brexit process and told Mr Tusk they had "serious issues" to discuss.
Following the 75-minute meeting, Ms May's official spokeswoman played down suggestions that Mr Tusk's comments were intended to put pressure on the PM to hasten the invocation of Article 50.
"What the president said was that the ball is in our court, which it is," the spokeswoman told a regular Westminster media briefing.
"It's for the member state to decide."
She added: "We want to take the time to prepare for the negotiations by talking to stakeholders up and down the country and doing the work here.
"The EU also needs to take time to prepare for the negotiations in terms of what approach the 27 will take."
