DUP accuses Varadkar of 'poor manners' on NI visit

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has accused Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of “disrespect” with his visit to Northern Ireland.

The DUP MP said Mr Varadkar is visiting parts of the region on Monday “outside of normal protocol”.

Mr Donaldson said no local representatives had been informed.

However the taoiseach's press office said: "As is standard protocol, the Northern Ireland Office was informed."

Mr Varadkar has been taking part in several meetings with civic and business representatives in Loughbrickland, Lurgan and Warrenpoint.

It comes as the EU’s chief negotiator on Brexit, Michel Barnier, visits border regions on a two-day trip to Ireland.

Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Leo Varadkar’s visit is another demonstration of the poor manners and disrespect which appears to be the Irish Government’s Brexit strategy.

“Having told unionists just over a month ago that he recognised statements and actions by the Irish government were unhelpful or intrusive, he follows this up with a visit which no local representative is informed about and none of the other normal protocol is followed.

“Whilst Mr Varadkar may say that he wants to find solutions to the issues facing us there is little demonstration of him working constructively to find them.”

The statement from the taoiseach's press office explained that Mr Varadkar had taken the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland following the All-Island Civic Dialogue in Dundalk.

"He is using the visit to meet young people at an integrated school, visit the Jethro Centre in Lurgan and meet with business people in Warrenpoint to speak about the impact of Brexit," it went on.

"Visiting Northern Ireland regularly is a priority for the taoiseach. As is standard protocol, the Northern Ireland Office was informed."