Northern Ireland

Taoiseach dismisses 'inaccurate' comments by David Davis over Sinn Féin influence in negotiations

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar dismissed suggestions that his government's negotiating position on Brexit had been influenced by Sinn Féin. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar dismissed suggestions that his government's negotiating position on Brexit had been influenced by Sinn Féin. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire Taoiseach Leo Varadkar dismissed suggestions that his government's negotiating position on Brexit had been influenced by Sinn Féin. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has described as "strange" and "inaccurate" comments by the Brexit secretary David Davis that the Irish government has changed its approach in negotiations due to pressure from Sinn Féin.

Speaking at a conference in London, Mr Davis said that he had not expected such a tough stance on Brexit from the Fine Gael leader, who took over from Enda Kenny as party leader and Taoiseach last June.

"We had a change of government, south of the border, and with quite a strong influence from Sinn Féin, and that had an impact in terms of the approach," he said.

When challenged by members of the audience that there had been no change of government and urged to "check his facts", Mr Davis replied: "Well you had a change of leader or a change in Taoiseach.

"They've (Sinn Féin) been playing a strong political role which they haven’t done historically, that I hadn’t foreseen.

"We'll leave our interpretations aside if you like. But the simple truth is that on both sides of the border the politics changed with the change of Taoiseach and with the disappearance of the Northern Ireland Executive.

"That's quite important. It's slowed the process down slightly," added the Brexit secretary.

Mr Varadkar rejected the claim, saying that while the government listens to Sinn Féin, the approach was no different to the British prime minister taking views from the Liberal Democrats or the SNP.

The Taoiseach said that his administration's only aim was to defend the interests of the Irish people and that meant avoiding a hard border.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney also described the comments as "way off the mark" and "nonsense".

Mr Coveney told RTÉ that it would be more helpful if Mr Davis came to Dublin in person for talks.

Earlier former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that the Irish government could have to "play hard ball" with Britain in Brexit talks.

A spokesman for the Irish government said: "(The Irish) position is unchanged since the time of the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership and is one which has cross-party support in Dáil Éireann."

The latest rift comes as five former Northern Ireland secretaries of state have penned a letter calling on the British government to prioritise the peace process "above its desire to have Brexit at any cost."

The letter, written by Peter Mandelson, John Reid, Paul Murphy, Peter Hain and Shaun Woodward, has been published in The London Times.

The five men were in the role in the years following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, from 1999 to 2010.

"On the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and as former Northern Ireland secretaries, we are concerned that the re-introduction of a hard border will lead to instability that could threaten the very existence of the agreement," they wrote.

"Those who value the agreement and the peace it brought to Northern Ireland have a duty to speak up and make clear their opposition to the government's Brexit policy.

"The government must put aside partisan interests and act in the interests of all by prioritising its commitment to peace in Northern Ireland above its desire to have Brexit at any cost," added the veteran Labour politicians.

Meanwhile, the European Council President, Donald Tusk, has said he is "furious" about Britain's impending departure from the EU.

During a speech in Dublin last night, he said: "I don't like Brexit. Actually, I believe Brexit is one of the saddest moments in 21st century European history.

"In fact, sometimes I am even furious about it."

Mr Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, drew parallels between his native country and Ireland.

"Our two countries don't need reminding about how much effort, suffering and time is needed to build peace and unity without coercion, in the conditions of freedom. And how little time and effort is needed to undermine and demolish this structure."