THE Irish government has "no hidden agenda" over Brexit, the Taoiseach told an audience in the US last night.
Speaking at an event in Washington to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Leo Varadkar made a direct appeal to unionists over recent political developments.
He acknowledged that unionists were "concerned" and "maybe even angry" at some of his government's interventions.
The DUP has been highly critical of the Fine Gael leadership and has accused it of trying to 'decouple' Northern Ireland from Britain amid rows over the management of the border following Brexit.
The Taoiseach said last night: "I recognise that recent statements and actions by Irish nationalists, including the Irish Government, about Brexit have been seen as unwelcome or intrusive".
"If that is the case, I want to make it clear that it certainly was not our intention," he said.
"I want to repeat that we have no hidden agenda.
"My only agenda is the Good Friday Agreement – the principle of consent, peaceful politics, the democratic institutions, reconciliation and co-operation."
Mr Varadkar said he would focus his efforts on the continuing Brexit negotiations over the next few weeks.
But he suggested that following the collapse of last month's talks, serious efforts to restore power-sharing would resume after Easter.
"It is my view that this will require very close co-operation and leadership from the British and Irish Governments," he said.
"It may be that again the Governments will have to table our own proposals to help the parties break the deadlock.
"That is how we made progress in the past.
"If that is the case, the Irish Government will play a full, active and balanced role in that process."
Mr Varadkar reiterated his concerns that Brexit, which he said has "undoubtedly changed the political climate in Northern Ireland and indeed across Britain and Ireland", could threaten the Good Friday Agreement.
"It drives a wedge between north and south and east and west," he said.
"I think it also creates risks for the Union, for Scotland and Northern Ireland. I take no pleasure in that."
