Leo Varadkar has criticised what he called “double standards” within the UK government after the Taoiseach’s comments on Irish unity drew negative comment from Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Mr Varadkar pointed out that UK prime minister Rishi Sunak had described himself as “a proud unionist” and had appointed himself as minister for the union, which the Irish Government respected, but said there appeared to be a double standard when Irish politicians spoke about a united Ireland that was in the Constitution.
“I think we as a Government have been extremely helpful to the British government since the Brexit journey began. Under my leadership as Taoiseach, we’ve negotiated three agreements with the British government – the backstop, the protocol, when they couldn’t honour that agreement. We were the adults in the room when we negotiated the Windsor Framework.”
On Monday, Mr Heaton-Harris referenced remarks made by the Taoiseach around Irish unity and the collapse of Stormont. Mr Varadkar had expressed his belief that he would see unification within his lifetime. He also raised the potential for a “plan B” if devolved government in Northern Ireland is not restored by the autumn.
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Mr Heaton-Harris said “unhelpful comments down in Dublin resonate up here amongst the unionist community” during his efforts to get the Stormont Assembly restored.
Mr Varadkar said on Friday there had been a “reset” when Mr Sunak became prime minister and that relations were better than “under previous iterations” but the reset had not been to the extent he had hoped for.
“What I said to the prime minister, and I do not want to be saying it again in a few weeks time, is that we understand and we’re very glad that the Windsor Framework was agreed and is being implemented. But that’s six, nine months ago now. And since then what’s happened is there have been negotiations really only involving the UK and one of the parties in Northern Ireland, the DUP [Democratic Unionist Party].”
These talks could not be “ongoing forever”, Mr Varadkar said. “We do need to sit down at some point and talk about what alternative arrangements can be put in place within the confines of the Good Friday Agreement.”
The Executive has been suspended since the DUP brought down powersharing in February of last year over its objections to post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar said he takes home €96,000 annually, after deductions, but denied suggestions he is out of touch with the impact of the cost-of-living-crisis and housing crisis for people on low to medium wages.
Speaking at his party’s think-in at the Strand Hotel, Limerick, the Taoiseach - who is entitled to an annual salary of over €200,000 - said he had taken a voluntary reduction in his wages for the past 16 years.
When asked what his present annual salary is, Mr Varadkar replied: “It’s €96,000 after taxes and pension levies.”
The Taoiseach hit back at comments on Thursday by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns in which she said the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Cabinet members do not understand the impact of the cost-of-living and housing crisis on ordinary people because their high salaries cushion them from the type of financial crisis faced by people on low to medium wages.
The Taoiseach said he believed Ms Cairns was speaking about all TDs, including herself.
“I heard what Holly Cairns said, and I think actually she was referring not just to Ministers but all TDs, so, if I understood what she said correctly, then she’s saying that she feels she’s out of touch,” said Mr Varadkar.
Ms Cairns, who is entitled to a salary of more than €107,000 a year, plus expenses, has not taken recent automatic pay rises granted to Dáil deputies, and is taking home just under €100,000-a-year, reports stated.
When pressed on the matter by reporters, Mr Varadkar acknowledged “politicians earn good wages”, however he added, “every Opposition TD is on a six-figure salary”.
