Leo is right to talk tough with Britain

AS the Brexit negotiation process becomes more chaotic every day, the Taoiseach’s very clear and unambiguous message to our neighbours this week was something that very much needed to be said. Mr Varadkar was blunt – the physical restoration of a hard border on this island, were it to happen, would be the sole responsibility of the United Kingdom.

It is increasingly obvious that the UK simply does not know what it is doing, and this is leading the EU, in a fit of frustration, to insist it speed up the process. These, remember, are our most important trading partners, and we simply cannot allow Ireland to fall through the cracks while the EU and the British prevaricate and squabble.

In forcefully setting out his stall, the Taoiseach has reminded both the UK and the EU that Ireland is in a unique situation, not just because of the border issue, but also the benefits of the existing allisland economy.

It should be in everyone’s interests to maintain customs-free movement, but if the UK decides against this, it can expect to receive no help from us.

To ask us to restore the border would be as fanciful as Donald Trump demanding that Mexico pay for his wall.

Mr Varadkar is to be commended for abandoning our traditional diplomatic position of supine subservience and instead giving it both barrels. Being meek on this point does not serve our national interest.