The Dáil returned this afternoon after the Christmas break with the Fine Gael-led minority Government facing a number of policy challenges.
Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin said trade links between Britain and Ireland are critical issues as they will be negatively impacted by Brexit.
Following a speech on Brexit by British Prime Minister Theresa May, he asked the Taoiseach if it means a "very hard Brexit" as Britain will be out of the Single Market and Customs Union "as we know it".
Enda Kenny said her speech brings clarity in a number of areas and that he outlined the issues that are of priority to Ireland in a conversation with Ms May last night.
Mr Kenny said that this is the start of the Brexit process and Europe will have to respond to it.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams addressed the political crisis in Northern Ireland and told the Dáil that he believes the Government has slid from the role of a central player to a commentator or observer.
Mr Kenny Kenny said it is most regrettable that Northern Ireland will be without a fully functioning executive while it should be preparing for Brexit.
He said the last thing we need to see is instability in the North.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Brendan Howlin questioned where the money was going to come from to give public sector workers earning under €65,000 and additional €1,000 a year from April.
He said that for many months he argued that the Government needed to set out its plan on public sector pay restoration before the House.
The Taoiseach said that it is a sensitive issue and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe has been involved in discussions with the unions on the issue.
Mr Kenny said it follows the Labour Court's recommendation in relation to the Garda made last November.
