Opinion

Taoiseach's closer engagement in north should be welcomed

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's decision to attend a gay pride event in Belfast on Saturday is fascinating in a number of respects, not least because it will be seen as a sign the Irish government is paying much closer attention to what is happening north of the border.

In some ways his decision is unsurprising and indeed is entirely consistent with his views.

He revealed he is gay in 2015 ahead of the Republic's same-sex marriage referendum and in June told Dublin's Pride parade that as Taoiseach he would `press for marriage equality across Ireland.'

Yesterday he said he would attend a Pride breakfast in Belfast `to express my support for equality before the law for Catholics, Protestants, non-religious people, men, women gay people and straight people.

``And I won't be making any compromises about that for anyone really.''

However, while his support for the LGBT community in Northern Ireland is in line with his stated position, he will also know that he is straying into more political territory.

Although the last assembly voted by a slender majority in favour of same-sex marriage, the DUP controversially used a petition of concern to veto the move.

Same-sex marriage has now become a key issue in the talks between Sinn Féin and the DUP aimed at restoring the Stormont executive, so there are clear political sensitivities at play.

While there will be conservative nationalists opposed to change, the DUP has adopted a particularly hard line on the issue and were said to be privately angered when the Taoiseach told Arlene Foster during a meeting in Dublin that `marriage equality should be permitted in Northern Ireland.'

It is likely the DUP will view Mr Varadkar's attendance at a Belfast Pride event with concern but will carefully consider how to approach this matter.

The Taoiseach's visit, which will also include meetings with the north's political parties, is taking place against the backdrop of an increasingly strained atmosphere in relation to Brexit.

The DUP were clearly rattled by reports last week suggesting the Irish Sea could be the new border with the UK following Britain's withdrawal from the EU.

But the Taoiseach did say he would not design a border for the Brexiteers, a signal that he is looking out for the Republic's interests as Britain struggles to come up with a viable proposal on the border.

There is no doubt the decision to leave the EU will have profound consequences for the economy of Ireland north and south, for the free movement of people and for businesses trying to deal with acute uncertainty.

Brexit is a serious challenge for us all and at a time when Northern Ireland is without an administration, greater engagement by the Irish government should be regarded in positive terms.