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Irish premier Leo Varadkar will today call for Northern Ireland to become part of the Republic of Ireland.

The Taoiseach is set to reveal that he aspires to a United Ireland by consent and with cross-community support.

But his comments are likely to spark fury among unionists in Belfast.

The Irish Premier is expected to say he will follow the idea of ex-SDLP leader John Hume of an “agreed Ireland”.

Mr Varadkar said: “In terms of a United Ireland, our constitution is clear on this. Our constitution aspires to there being a United Ireland. I share that aspiration.

“But only on the basis that it is done by consent, and when it does come about I would like to see it command a degree of cross-community support. And that’s the way I would envision it.”

(Image: PA)

He added: “I very much follow the school of thought of the great John Hume, who talked less about a United Ireland and more about an agreed Ireland and a set of relationships that we can all be happy with. That’s the way it should be.”

The Taoiseach’s comments are likely to further strain his already difficult relationship with unionists in Northern Ireland.

In November, the leader of the DUPArlene Foster accused Irish Foreign Affairs Minister and Mr Varadkar’s deputy, Simon Coveney, of “aggressive” behaviour after he spoke of his desire for a United Ireland.

Mr Coveney told a parliamentary committee that he wanted to see a United Ireland in his political lifetime.

He said: “I am a constitutional nationalist, I would like to see a United Ireland in my lifetime. If possible, in my political lifetime.”

Mr Coveney added that any moves toward Irish unification should be careful, should learn from the past and ensure more steps are taken to protect and include a unionist minority.

(Image: PA)

Following his comments, Mrs Foster responded: “Why then did Simon use this moment in time to talk about his aspiration for a United Ireland in his political lifetime? I think that’s quite aggressive.”

Uncertainty around Brexit has seen relations between Dublin and London and the DUP deteriorate in recent months.

In December, Mr Varadkar admitted relations with Britain were “strained” because of disputes between governments on what kind of arrangement should be made for Northern Ireland after Brexit.

The DUP has criticised Mr Varadkar’s Fine Gael Party, saying that multiple references to the possibility of a United Ireland in current Irish politicians’ lifetimes were unhelpful.

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson recently claimed both the Taoiseach and Simon Coveney had used language that would not repair relationships between the Irish government and unionists.

‘Trump lacks the skill set to help NI crisis’

The Irish premier has said Donald Trump does not have the “skill set” to help solve the Northern Ireland political crisis.

Leo Varadkar said the US President’s win-or-lose approach to deals in his book The Art of the Deal “is not the kind that is going to work”.

He said: “I don’t think bringing about peace would be his skill set.”

The province has not had devolved government for a year since the DUP and Sinn Fein clashed over a green energy scheme.

Mr Varadkar called for a united Ireland by agreement, a move set to anger Unionists.

He said he shared the aspiration in the Republic’s constitution but “on the basis it is done by consent”.