The Dáil has started debating mammoth legislation to prepare Ireland for a no-deal Brexit.
The bill, published last week, is one of the largest and most wide-ranging pieces of legislation to ever go before the Oireachtas.
It's designed to maintain the status quo as much as possible if there's a crash out Brexit in the coming weeks.
Today's debate in the Dáil coincides with Theresa May's announcement that the next major Brexit votes in the House of Commons will take place in two weeks at the latest.
If MPs reject any deal reached with Brussels and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, they'll then be asked to consider extending Article 50 to delay the Brexit process for a short period of time.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the omnibus legislation here is needed given the uncertainty in the UK.
Speaking in the Dáil, he explained: "However much he wished, we are not going to wake up to find the last two and a half years have been a bad dream.
"The UK is leaving the European Union: today, we still don't know how or under what conditions. This poses unique and unprecedented challenges for Ireland."
Opposition reaction
Opposition parties have been responding to the omnibus no-deal Brexit bill in the Dáil this evening.
Labour's Brendan Howlin highlighted what he considered a 'constitutional concern' with the bill.
He claimed one part of the bill would "clearly involve the Minister for Health changing primary legislation without bringing it through the Dáil".
He suggested that's an "unconstitutional proposal".
Fianna Fáil, meanwhile, pledged that will do "all that we can" to ensure the timely passage of the bill.
However, the party's Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers said: "We are disappointed that this bill was only published last Friday and the opposition has been given insufficient time to properly scrutinise this Bill.
"Given the good will that exists from my party to assist the government in getting the legislation through and despite numerous requests from myself to see the legislation sooner this request was not facilitated and the reasons given not acceptable."
Today's Dáil debate comes amid the latest developments in Westminster.
Theresa May announced earlier said MPs will be offered a "meaningful vote" on her proposed withdrawal deal on March 12th "at the latest."
If that fails, the House of Commons will be asked if it supports leaving the EU without a deal will be held on March 13th.
If that's rejected, MPs will be offered a March 14th vote on a "short, limited" extension to the Brexit process.
