'You signed a CONTRACT!' May warned Britain MUST pay BILLIONS in EU exit fees
BRITAIN will need to pay up when it leaves the European Union, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny warned today.
Enda Kenny on the 'political challenge' following Brexit
Speaking at the EU Summit in Brussels, he said the UK had signed a “contract” of contributions to Brussels and would need to stay true to it despite last June's Leave vote.
The under-fire politician, who recently survived a vote of no confidence in the Irish parliament but it expected to step down in the near future, said while the exact amount was still to be determined it must be paid.
The Taoiseach warned: “When you sign on for a contract you commit yourself to participation.
"That, no more than any other problem, will have to be faced, it will have to be dealt with and it will be dealt with.
"And obviously the extent of that level of money will be determined.”
Money is shaping up to be one of the most contentious parts of the upcoming divorce talks, which will begin when Theresa May triggers Article 50 this month.
Other European Union nations want Britain to pay its share of budget commitments - estimated informally by EU officials at around £52 billion.
Ireland has been divided on Brexit since the Leave campaign secured a decisive victory in last June’s in-out referendum.
Economically, Brexit will signal a period of uncertainty for Ireland, who rely heavily on their closest neighbour for trade.
Concerns about the future of the border with Northern Ireland also remain, despite lukewarm reassurances from Westminster that a return to the hard borders which exacerbated the Troubles will be avoided.
Some have even argued for the Republic to follow the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, out of the union.
Trinity College Dublin professor Anthony Coughlan said last week an Irexit was essential to avoid economic turbulence.
He said: “That realisation is now growing in Ireland. Both public and elite opinion is likely to move in the direction of Irexit over the coming two years, and UK policy-makers should do all they can to encourage it.
“Economically and psychologically, Ireland is closer to Boston than Berlin, and to Britain than Germany.”