TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar yesterday said he is "not an invader" after being criticised by the DUP for a visit to the north.
The DUP accused Mr Varadkar of failing to follow protocol by not informing local elected representatives of his visit to counties Armagh and Down.
But Mr Varadkar said he followed standard protocol by informing the Northern Ireland Office of his visit, which included engagements at Warrenpoint Harbour and an integrated school in Loughbrickland.
"I can assure anyone that I'm not an invader. I just want to be a good neighbour and I received a very warm welcome in Northern Ireland," he said.
"The only future that we have on this island is to work together and that's what I want to do. I'm not here to upset anyone or make anyone uncomfortable. I'm just here as a neighbour."
The row erupted after DUP Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said Mr Varadkar's visit showed "poor manners and disrespect" because "no local representative" was informed and "none of the other normal protocol" was followed.
DUP leader Arlene Foster also described it as a "huge breach of protocol".
It comes after the British government last week apologised after Brexit secretary David Davis made an unannounced visit to the Co Armagh side of the border without informing the local MP, in breach of protocol.
The Department for Exiting the European Union said not informing Sinn Féin Newry and Armagh MP Mickey Brady was "an administrative oversight for which we are happy to apologise".
A spokesman for the taoiseach said Mr Varadkar took the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland following the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit event 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," he said.
"Visiting Northern Ireland regularly is a priority for the taoiseach. As is standard protocol, the Northern Ireland Office was informed."
