We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow

There was an error processing your request. Please try again later.

The British prime minister welcomed Leo Varadkar to Downing Street today as she said she is personally committed for a practical solution to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland which will remain in the EU after the UK leaves in 2019. She said she wanted it to be “as seamless and frictionless as possible”. Mr Varadkar said the border should be “invisible”.

Theresa May meets new Taoiseach latest pictures PA PA PA PA REUTERS


Mrs May also said discussions with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to form a majority government are ongoing and the deal will be published when it is agreed on. Mr Varadkar said the pair talked about the DUP deal and his concerns but is “very much reassured” as Mrs May promised it will not affect the Good Friday Agreement.

Brexit debate in pictures AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images EPA AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Europarl REUTERS REUTERS Europarl Europarl Europarl Europarl Europarl Europarl PA PA Europarl


However, he said Brexit was a matter of regret for Ireland as the UK is leaving the EU, the single market and the Customs Union, but said the two leaders have a shared objective to not return to past borders between the two Irelands. Mr Varadkar added it is a “thrill” to be in the Prime Minister’s home and it reminded him of the scene in Love Actually when Hugh Grant dances down the staircase.

Getty Mr Varadkar said being in Downing Street reminded him of Love Actually

Mr Varadkar told the news conference both the British and Irish governments needed to be impartial actors in relation to Northern Ireland's stalled power-sharing arrangements between parties that want the province to remain in the UK and parties that want it to become part of the Republic. The new Taoiseach also spoke about this morning’s attack on Muslims outside Finsbury Park mosque as well as the London Bridge and Westminster attacks, and the Grenfell Tower fire, saying he drove past the building on his way in to London.

Getty The pair said they had a good discussion