It is understandable that May is currently pre-occupied with internal Tory politics and trying to come up with a coherent opening negotiating position.  I don't expect Ireland to emerge on the political radar until close to the end of the A. 50 period, and then only when a lot of other subject areas have been closed off by mutually incompatible positions.  Ireland has a very good track record of punching above its weight in EU negotiations - in stark contrast to the UK which often seemed blind to the internal dynamics of other member states. If there is a surprise agreement at the end, expect N. Ireland to be part of it, even if it is a minimalist agreement in other respects.

Index of Frank's Diaries