Leo Varadkar is all business back in Downing St
Out he came, from that famous black door, his bright green tie leading the way.
Fresh from leaving lunch upstairs with British prime minister Theresa May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar didn’t repeat his cringey faux pas of mentioning Love Actually, as he did the first time.
No, it was far more business-like from our leader.
Having come out the door, trailed by his press adviser Nick Miller, the Taoiseach made straight for the cameras.
With the rain threatening, he got straight down to it.
We were warned that only three questions were allowed and with reporters caged behind a metal barricade, there was limited chance to get him to engage more.
On Brexit, he was clear he wanted more certainty from Theresa and he also suggested that Britain and Northern Ireland remain in the customs union and single market.
“Of course I pointed out that the best way to achieve that is for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to stay in some form of a customs union and some form of a single market,” Mr Varadkar said.
She was not for committing on that one, demanding that the Brexit talks be allowed move into phase two during which such matters could be decided upon.
Varadkar said that was a decision for the collective 27 EU leaders who meet in Tallinn later this week.
But he did welcome May’s strongest comments to date about not accepting any physical border between North and South.
“One thing which was included in her speech was the fact Britain will not seek any physical infrastructure on the border. To me that is very important, that is more than saying you don’t want the borders of the past. So in my view that is a very strong statement,” he said.
Leo arrived at Downing Street shortly after 12.20pm and was there for a good deal longer than the hour allotted.
Due out by 1.30, word filtered out that the leaders were only beginning their desert and coffees.
May, since her election setback, has preferred to stay primarily at her home in Kent as opposed to Downing Street, so Varadkar’s visit was a nice break.
According to those present, the mood was warm and convivial and was boosted by the wearing of Ireland 2023 lapel pins by May and her advisers.
Leo and the gang were also in town to formally present the Irish bid to the rugby selection committee who will make a recommendation in the coming weeks.
Honoured to take part in the IRFU bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup this morning. Fingers crossed! pic.twitter.com/Ydxde40gta
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) September 25, 2017
Joined by Sports Minister Shane Ross and rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll, Leo was doing his best to ensure Ireland can overcome the challenge of France and South Africa.
If Leo was cringey on his last visit to London, he was certainly outcringed by O’Driscoll who was at pains to show how welcome visitors will be to Ireland.
The former Ireland captain said there would be an overwhelming welcome for all fans.
“People can expect to be smothered with love. This is the biggest tournament we will ever host, it’s as big as it gets for us. We’re sports lovers, not just rugby lovers, the GAA fans and soccer fans will all embrace this too and you just sense we will do an exceptional job.
“I’d be very envious of players in Ireland getting to play in a world cup in their own country, it’ll showcase us and I think it is something we will do with aplomb,” he said.
Let’s hope such gushing enthusiasm doesn’t fatally hurt our national bid to lure the innocent rugby fans of the world.
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