Leo Varadkar previously warned against 'creating an artificial divide' between rural and urban Ireland

The former Fine Gael leader has hit headlines by suggesting that rural workers are being 'subsidised' by urban workers. File picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has come under fire for comments about rural dwellers, had previously warned against “creating an artificial divide” between rural and urban Ireland and “playing one off against the other”.

During a 2021 speech, made when he was Tánaiste, Mr Varadkar said he had always “rejected attempts” to create such a divide.