The Taoiseach says Ireland will not make plans to leave the European Union, even if Britain votes to leave.

Enda Kenny says it is in Ireland's interests to stay in the bloc, with or without the UK.

He says that no matter how Britain votes, Ireland's future is clear.

"We've a very clear position on this, and we'll continue to operate as a member of the European Union, and speak and act and work in the interests of developing the potential of the Union," he said.

The value of the sterling fell today as opinion polls show the Leave campaign gaining support ahead of the referendum next week.

More than £30bn (around €37.8bn) was wiped off the FTSE 100 as it finished a fourth session in negative territory, following further opinion polls which indicate strong support for Brexit and The Sun's decision to throw its support behind the Out campaign.

In London, the FTSE fell 2% to close at 5,924 - and other European markets also ended the day in the red, including the CAC 40 in France and Germany's DAX.

The STOXX 600, a pan-European index, has lost 8% since the start of June, wiping off €600bn off the value of its constituents.

Stock markets in Denmark, Slovakia and Sweden have also tumbled as they are seen as countries which could follow suit in leaving the European Union if the UK votes Out.

A YouGov poll for The Times puts Leave seven points ahead of Remain while a pair of ICM polls for The Guardian has Leave six points in front.

ORB in the Daily Telegraph has Leave one point ahead.

Some economists fear a UK exit would tip Europe back into recession though others have pointed to benefits for the UK over the longer term.

With Enda Kenny travelling around the UK this week on the 'Remain' campaign trail as the Brexit vote looms large, he has come under fire from elected officials in the UK.

One Irish-born Conservative has slammed what she perceives to be interference from the Irish Government in the British matter.