UK will not have access to the EU market if it ends free movement, says Irish Prime Minister

'Let me tell you that around the European Council table, that is an issue that will not be given in on,' says the Irish Taoiseach

Mr Kenny said European leaders have 'very directly addressed' the issue of Brexit (Getty Images)

The UK will not have full access to the EU single market if they don't allow the free movement of people, the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

In an interview with Ireland's Newstalk radio station, Mr Kenny said the European Union would not give into Britain's Brexit demands.

Mr Kenny said: "Let me tell you that around the European Council table, that is an issue that will not be given in on."

He said the British government did not seem to have a clear idea on what form Brexit would take, saying: "They don't have a definite horizon as to where they want to be."

Mr Kenny said European leaders have "very directly addressed" the issue of Brexit.

The UK's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, has said he is pressing for an "unique" deal with the EU.

Mr Davis, who campaigned for Vote Leave before the referendum, said the government plans to restore the country's sovereignty, reduce immigration by controlling its borders and boost trade with the single market after Brexit.