The European Commission has ruled out any informal talks with the UK on the terms of its departure from the EU.

Authorities in Brussels say they will only begin negotiations once the UK triggers the formal process known as 'Article 50'.

Prime minister Theresa May has this weekend signalled she intends to invoke that clause no later than the end of March.

Here at home, foreign affairs minister says the prospect of a hard border with the North cannot be ruled out.

Business groups say the government must convince other EU countries that it's in their own interest to keep open borders.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: