The European Union will not give in to British demands for full access to the bloc's single market unless London allows free movement of people, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said today.
Britain's minister charged with negotiating Brexit, David Davis, said last week that it was pressing for a "unique" deal with the EU to restore sovereignty, reduce immigration by controlling its borders and boost trade with the bloc after the split.
But European leaders have warned Britain it cannot cherry pick which rules it follows if it wants to continue to have unfettered access to Europe's markets.
"Let me tell you that around the European Council table, that is an issue that will not be given in on," Mr Kenny said in an interview with Ireland's Newstalk radio station.
He said the issue had been "very directly addressed" by European leaders to the British government.
The Taoiseach said the British government did not appear to have a clear position on what form of Brexit it was trying to achieve.
"They don't have a definite horizon as to where they want to be," he said.
British government to stay tight-lipped on Brexit process
Meanwhile, David Davis has said the British government will not say much about how Brexit will unfold before it triggers Article 50.
Article 50 is the formal step that will kick off negotiations on the terms of Britain's departure from the bloc.
David Davis said in remarks to parliament that this would be a "frustrating time".
Theresa May's government has been pressed for detailed answers on how it intends to enact the decision to quit the EU by everyone from business leaders to foreign allies. So far, little detail has emerged.
Mr Davis said the government would have clear negotiating guidelines in place by the time Article 50 was triggered.
The date when that will happen is not known.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly said it will not be this year.
