Varadkar ‘optimistic’ about restored Northern Ireland Executive

Mr Varadkar said he was hopeful that the Executive would last through the upcoming elections in Ireland as well as to the House of Commons.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivers the keynote address at the Shared Island Forum in Dublin Castle (Brian Lawless/PA)

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is “optimistic” there will be a “genuine effort” to ensure the restored Stormont Executive will tackle practical problems facing people in Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive last weekend, Mr Varadkar said it gave “renewed hope” for cooperation on difficulties in the health service and public sector pay disputes.