The Taoiseach has said he would not allow a situation where Northern Ireland is in a different time zone to the rest of Ireland.
Leo Varadkar was answering a question about the decision of the European Parliament to end daylight savings time from April 2021.
After that date EU member states would have to decide for themselves which time system they adopt, either Summer time or Winter time.
However because the UK is leaving the EU - it would not be bound by the decision taken by the European Parliament.
In the Dáil the Labour leader Brendan Howlin said Ireland would be in a difficult position because there is the possibility of having two different time zones on the island of Ireland, as the UK have indicated that they do not intend to switch their current system.
He asked the Taoiseach which way the government will be voting when the Parliament's decision is put to the European Council.
Mr Varadkar said the government has not taken a position or discussed it yet.
He said he would very much like the Dail to have a debate on this matter "or take some indicative votes" before the government finalises its position.
However he said he "couldn't and wouldn't countenance a situation where Northern Ireland is in a different time zone to the rest of Ireland".
