Building bridges: the relationship between Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson appears to have improved recently

Leo Varadkar has backed Boris Johnson’s idea of building a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland, saying it should be seriously assessed and not dismissed out of hand.

The taoiseach has also suggested his government could give financial support to at least three big infrastructure projects in the north, and explore a joint strategy with Britain to boost industry across the border, after Brexit.

Varadkar’s public support for the UK prime minister’s proposal of a bridge linking Larne with Stranraer is the latest evidence of an improved relationship between the two leaders, although the taoiseach stopped short of offering cash for a planned link to Scotland.

Varadkar also called for zero tariffs on trade between Britain and the EU under any new free trade deal