Leo Varadkar: DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson urges new Taoiseach to learn from predecessor Micheal Martin in listening to unionists about Northern Ireland Protocol

In a planned handover of power at the top of the ruling three-party coalition government in Dublin, Fine Gael leader Mr Varadkar replaced Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin as taoiseach on Saturday.

Irish parliamentarians in the Dail voted 87 to 62 to support his appointment in a special sitting.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has said former Taoiseach Micheál Martin reached out to understand the concerns of unionists. He also encouraged the new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to take a leaf from Micheál Martin’s book.

Sir Jeffrey said: “As neighbours we want to have a cordial and respectful relationship with the Government of the Republic of Ireland. The imposition of the NI Protocol upon Northern Ireland, without unionist support but with the support of Dublin, was a backward step for North-South relations.

"During his tenure as Taoiseach Micheál Martin sought to understand why unionism was wholly opposed to the NI Protocol. I encourage Leo Varadkar to follow Micheál Martin’s example in managing North-South relationships.

"Whilst many unionists will struggle to forget the new Taoiseach waving news reports from the 1970’s of a bombed border customs post which gave the threat of violence a seat at the EU negotiating table and demoted the power of democracy and politics, we are prepared to work with him if he is willing to address unionist concerns.

"For those who have forgotten, political progress in NI was hard won and is built on the support of unionists and nationalists. Not one unionist MLA supports the Protocol. The idea that one section of our people will dominate the other and ignore the concerns of unionists will never produce durable or balanced outcomes.

"There will be no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until the Protocol is replaced with arrangements that restore NI’s place in the U.K. internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected.”

Mr Varadkar was officially confirmed as premier at an audience with the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins at his residence in Dublin on Saturday.

The Taoiseach's Office responded: “The Taoiseach is committed to listening to and working with all parties in Northern Ireland and he looks forward to meeting with the political party leaders in the early New Year.

"Above all, he wants to ensure that any arrangements relating to Northern Ireland have the support of the majority of people in Northern Ireland and the widest possible support base that can be achieved beyond that."

In a speech at the weekend Mr Varadkar noted that 2023 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

“In recent years, various things, some foreseen, some not, have weakened relationships crucial to the maintenance and strengthening of that peace,” he said.

“The efforts of the Tanaiste as Minister for Foreign Affairs will be crucial to this work, and it is something that I will also share responsibility for in the weeks and months ahead.

“We must work together to re-establish the Good Friday Agreement institutions in the north.

“We must set aside our differences, forgive past mistakes on all sides, and seek a new beginning in a new spirit of friendship and understanding.”