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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: We have achieved all that we set out to in phase one of Brexit negotiations

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre), T&aacute;naiste Simon Coveney (right) and Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee speaking at the Government Press Centre in Dublin after the European Commission announced that &quot;sufficient progress&quot; <br />has been made in the first phase of Brexit talks. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre), Tánaiste Simon Coveney (right) and Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee speaking at the Government Press Centre in Dublin after the European Commission announced that "sufficient progress"
has
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre), Tánaiste Simon Coveney (right) and Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee speaking at the Government Press Centre in Dublin after the European Commission announced that "sufficient progress"
has been made in the first phase of Brexit talks. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was a "significant day" for Ireland.

"We have achieved all that we set out to achieve in phase one of these negotiations," he told a press conference in Government Buildings in Dublin.

"I am satisfied that sufficient progress has now been made on Irish issues, the parameters have now been set and they are good."

He said Ireland's focus would now move to phase two of the negotiations. Mr Varadkar said his government would remain "fully engaged and vigilant" throughout the process.

"This is not the end but it is the end of the beginning," he said.

Mr Varadkar said he wanted to assure unionists of his motivations.

"There is no question of us trying to exploit Brexit to move toward Irish unity without consent," he said.