Politicians across Ireland need to maintain focus on establishing the island's priorities in the Brexit process despite the High Court decision in London, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted.
The Irish premier said the ruling had challenged previous assumptions that his UK counterpart Theresa May was able to trigger an exit from the EU in her own right.
"Now clearly the British government have to make a decision as to whether to refer now to the parliament or whether to appeal that case and that's a matter for them," he said.
Read more: Scottish Government will consider 'actively opposing' Brexit judgment appeal, says Nicola Sturgeon
"Irrespective of the decision that they make there we have to concentrate on what our priorities are and work together in the interests of the common benefits of the economies of the people north and south."
Mr Kenny was in Belfast to meet political leaders to discuss the on-going fall-out from Brexit. His visit to Stormont came a day after he hosted an all-island forum in Dublin that saw politicians, business leaders and other members of civic society discuss the ramifications of the UK leaving the EU.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charles Flanagan (right) and Enda Kenny (PA)
The Fine Gael leader said his focus was on identifying the priorities for the island in the Brexit negotiations.
"Time is short here, we don't have any time to waste," he said.
"What we are looking for is cooperation with everybody so we know exactly what it is the priorities we should be following here in order to get the very best result for the people of the north and the people of the island of Ireland as a whole."
Read more: Government to appeal after court rules
Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster, a Brexiteer, stayed away from the forum event in Dublin, claiming it would be full of "grandstanding remoaners".
The Democratic Unionist leader also used a weekend speech to her party conference to accuse Irish government representatives of trying to play up uncertainty around Brexit to "poach" would-be investors from Northern Ireland.
Mr Kenny declined to be drawn on her comments as he arrived at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
"I am not in the business of having any rows created with first minister Foster and this is much too important in the context of the island of Ireland," he said.
The first minister was not among the leaders the Taoiseach met at Stormont due to her having other diary commitments
Mr Kenny said the pair had a "good working relationship" and said they would be holding a meeting in Dublin on November 15.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the ruling was "disappointing".
"On 23 June the British people as a whole gave a clear mandate for the UK Government to leave the EU," he said.
"There must be no attempt to block Brexit by people who refuse to accept the will of the people of the UK.
"I am disappointed by the court's judgment on Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.
"It will now fall on the Supreme Court to make a ruling and it is important that there is full and clear guidance."
Read more: Scottish Government will consider 'actively opposing' Brexit judgment appeal, says Nicola Sturgeon
He added: "This was a democratic vote and one which must be respected.
"The Government are determined to respect that result and I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment on Brexit, acting on the democratic will of the people.
"Remainers will seek to use this as a basis to call for a second referendum or indeed scaremonger and indeed this is deeply damaging to democracy.
"It must be remembered that the Prime Minister has made it very clear that the United Kingdom will be leaving the EU.
"Throughout the negotiations, twists and turns of leaving the European Union, we will ensure that the people of the United Kingdom get the best deal."
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Who knows where all of this is going to end up.
"There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that all of us face immense challenges that lie ahead.
"But one thing is for sure and that is that I have no faith in the British Parliament supporting the democratically expressed wishes of the people of the north to remain in Europe.
"That is our position and it is a very clear position. We will all obviously have to await the outcome of what happens in the time ahead and deal with that and that's precisely what we will do."
Read more: Government to appeal after court rules
Mr McGuinness batted away questions about whether Sinn Fein would take their seats at Westminster for the potentially crucial vote.
"We are opposed to Brexit and we believe that any decision taken about the future of the people of this island - and of course Brexit will have a massive impact on every one of Ireland's 32 counties - so we believe that any decisions that need to be taken about the future of this island need to be taken between our administration in the north and the government in Dublin," he said.
"So effectively as far as I am concerned the Assembly and the Dail are the people who make the decisions about the future of the people who live on this island, and of course overwhelmingly on this island people see their future in Europe and the referendum result clearly shows that 56% of the people of the north - and that was a cross-community vote - made a very decisive decision that they want their future to be in Europe."
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