Alison O’Connor: Varadkar must adapt his approach to discussing a united Ireland 

Given the fragility of the situation in the North at the moment, the Tánaiste's comments on a united Ireland were opportunistic and poorly timed.

Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and deputy leader Simon Coveney. Mr Varadkar decided to stir the pot on unification that he himself acknowledges may not happen for many decades.

Throw a little petrol on the fire there why don’t you Leo? Of all the things you might have anticipated the Tánaiste would major on in his ard fheis appearance this week, a rabble-rouser on a united Ireland was not hotly anticipated.

Difficult to put it any more pithily than the new Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie who commented: “Good man, Leo, for bringing up Irish unity again when we are in a crisis.”