The Minister for Social protection Leo Varadkar has dismissed claims from a number of politicians North and South of the border, that the EU does not listen to Ireland.
Mr Varadkar made his comments after Ian Paisley Jnr claimed that leading figures in Brussels do not listen to Ireland when it comes to major political issues.
Speaking in London where he was meeting Irish communities, Mr Varadkar: “Ireland’s place is at the heart of Europe. It’s a Europe that we helped to build and we intend to stay at the heart of it.”
“Of course, in the new Europe we have to build new relationships with other European countries particularly small countries and countries that have similar economic views as us for example the Benelux countries and others.”
“At the same time we will have to strengthen relations with the UK, and particularly do all that we can to minimise disruption on the economy and trade, and preserve the rights that Irish and UK citizens enjoy in each other’s countries.”