The British Prime Minister Theresa May has accused the Scottish National Party of playing politics with the future of their country.
Mrs May has been reacting to Nicola Sturgeon's announcement that she wants to hold a second independence referendum for Scotland.
The announcement came ahead of tomorrow's expected triggering of Article 50. The move will begin Britain's departure from the EU, and 2 years of Brexit negotiations.
First Minister Sturgeon says she wants the independence vote to take place either late next year or early in 2019, so the terms of Brexit are known:
Next week Nicola Sturgeon will ask for the permission of the Scottish parliament to hold the poll.
She will then make a request to the UK government for a second Scottish independence referendum.
But Teresa May is strongly opposed to the idea, and claims the Scottish people don't want another vote:
A spokesman for the Taoiseach says a second Scottish referendum is an internal matter for Scotland the UK.
Enda Kenny's spokesman says Ireland won't get involved or speculate about what might happen following Nicola Sturgeon's announcement today.
Kenny last year said Scotland should not be "dragged out" of the EU against its will, and spoke on its behalf at an EU summit.
Responding to Nicola Sturgeon's announcement - a spokesman for 10 Downing Street said 'Another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time."
