Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Brexit Stephen Donnelly TD has criticised An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his recent comments on Brexit and Northern Ireland.

Deputy Donnelly was responding to a series of reckless remarks on Brexit and Northern Ireland from The Taosieach at a speech to a Fine Gael party event yesterday evening.

Deputy Donnelly said, “Northern Ireland has always remained above party politics in Ireland, and the Taoiseach’s comments are very worrying in this context. Indeed, this is the latest in a series of outbursts by the Taoiseach on Northern Ireland which are reckless.

“He has sought to misrepresent Fianna Fáil’s position in relation to Brexit, Northern Ireland and the possibility of the emergence of a hard border. He stated that Fianna Fáil is preparing for the emergence of a hard border. This is a deliberate misrepresentation of Fianna Fáil’s position, which is that a border must be avoided at all costs.

“In mispresenting Fianna Fáil’s position, and that of others, the Taoiseach is clearly trying to score party political points on the back of the enormous difficulties that are facing Northern Ireland as we prepare for Brexit.

“Such behaviour is reckless. No previous Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael Taoiseach has ever used Northern Ireland for such cheap political shots. This speaks very poorly of Fine Gael’s newest Taoiseach that he would make these ill-judged remarks, and so quickly after his election to office. The Taoiseach needs to recognise the grave danger that playing politics with Northern Ireland and Brexit poses,” concluded Deputy Donnelly.