Enda Kenny hosts Brexit fallout talks with 300 due including business people

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is today hosting all-island discussions on the fallout from Brexit.

About 300 politicians, business people, community representatives, academics, civil servants and trade union figures are to take part in the day-long conference at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.

Billed as the All-Island Civic Dialogue, Mr Kenny has said the event aims to hear from those affected by Britain's departure from the European Union and to map out the challenges and potential impact on different parts of society.

It will focus on the potential impact on the economy and trade, the peace process, the UK-Ireland common travel area, the border and the future of the EU.

A report and recommendations are to be drawn up following the meeting to advise the Government on issues related to the UK's negotiations with Brussels.

All of Northern Ireland's main unionist parties snubbed an invitation to the event.

Stormont First Minister and Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster said she had better things to do than listen to a lot of "grandstanding remoaners" and she described the forum as a talking shop.

Relations further soured after Ms Foster, who campaigned for Brexit, also accused Irish officials of poaching investment from Northern Ireland.

A majority of voters in Northern Ireland sought to remain in the EU