DUP leader blasts Taoiseach’s ‘megaphone diplomacy’ over Northern Ireland

Sir Jeffrey, whose party is continuing its blockade of the devolved institutions in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements, said that "unlike the Taoiseach" he has a mandate for his position.

Earlier this year the UK and EU agreed the Windsor Framework as an attempt to resolve post-Brexit trading frictions caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

However, the DUP is seeking further political and trading assurances from the Westminster government before it commits to any restoration of Stormont.

During a visit to Belfast this week, Mr Varadkar said progress to restore Stormont was moving at a "snail's pace" and said that alternative arrangements may need to be considered.

The Taoiseach also defended comments he made that he believed there will be a united Ireland in his lifetime.

Sir Jeffrey joined other Northern Ireland political leaders at a major investment summit taking place in Belfast.

He said: "My advice to the Taoiseach is very clear. His interventions recently have not been helpful. He is planning for failure, I am not.

"He talks about a Plan B, I am focused on Plan A, which is getting this right for the people of Northern Ireland.

"Unlike the Taoiseach, I have a mandate from the people to do this, to pursue the solutions that we need, and then we'll get the institutions up and running.

"This megaphone diplomacy by Leo Varadkar is not helpful and I think he should reflect on the harm he is doing."