TAOISEACH Enda Kenny will welcome British Prime Minister Theresa May to Dublin on Monday to discuss issues including Brexit.
The Taoiseach's office said the summit was an opportunity for the two leaders to exchange views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern, especially in light of the recent developments in Northern Ireland.
Discussions will cover the political situation in the north, the UK/Ireland Joint Work Programme and key bilateral issues that the UK and Ireland are committed to working closely on as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
"I look forward to welcoming prime minister May to Dublin," Mr Kenny said.
"This meeting will provide an opportunity for us to have a strategic and constructive discussion on issues of mutual concern and how we are going to work together to protect the interests of all our citizens on these islands."
Brexit will also be discussed at a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee in Cardiff on Monday.
Mrs May made it clear the devolved administrations would not be given a decisive role in the UK's divorce from the EU ahead of talks with leaders from across the UK.
She said she hoped the meeting would be constructive but warned they "will not agree on everything". And she highlighted how the Supreme Court ruling on triggering Article 50 had set out "beyond doubt" that relations with Brussels would be determined by the UK government.
Sinn Féin's leader in the north Michelle O'Neill, who is attending the talks, said the Conservatives were attempting to impose Brexit against the will of the people in Northern Ireland.
"It is clear that Tory Government is seeking to impose Brexit against the will of the people in the north and of the people of Scotland. The Tory Government have effectively set aside the democratic process to pursue their own narrow political agenda. We need all of those opposed to Brexit to stand together," she said.
"I look forward to meeting with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones to discuss possible joint approaches to Brexit. I will layout the reasonable and achievable objective of the north being designated special status within the EU."
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood asked why Arlene Foster was attending the meeting given she holds no ministerial office.
"This is meeting is described and designated as a `ministerial' council," he said.
"Arlene Foster holds no office in the Executive she is no longer first minister and has no position outside the DUP. Why is Theresa May permitting Arlene Foster's attendance and why are Sinn Féin happy to go along with it?"
Mr Eastwood added that the meeting would highlight how exposed the Executive had left the people of the north in the face of a hard-Brexit.
