The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says people need to look beyond Brexit at what kind of Ireland we want at the other side.
Speaking at the Irish Times Brexit Summit, Mr Kenny said "there is a world beyond and after Brexit of other concerns, challenges and priorities."
The Taoiseach said that during the crash, a laser-like focus was needed to get the country back on track.
But he suggested now is the time to build towards the future while taking Brexit into account.
"There are important questions we need to ask ourselves. What sort of country do we want to be? Where do we want to see Ireland, where do we see our country in 10, 20, 30 years?".
Image: Sean Defoe
It comes as an ESRI and Department of Finance report suggested Ireland will suffer more than Britain in the event of a hard Brexit.
The report says unemployment would increase by 2% in the event of a tough British exit from the European Union.
However Mr Kenny says the report is based on trade models that the UK might not use, saying "Britain will want a British solution."
He added that both the Irish and UK governments have both expressed their views that there should be no return to a hard border in Northern Ireland.
