Irish unity cannot just be an 'aspiration' - Varadkar

Leo Varadkar tells students in Londonderry that a united Ireland is likely in the coming decades, but was by no means certain

A united Ireland should be an "objective" and not just an "aspiration" for whoever is in charge after the next general election in the Republic of Ireland, Leo Varadkar has said.

The former taoiseach (Irish PM) was speaking to students in Londonderry as part of the Social Democratic and Labour Party's (SDLP) New Ireland Commission, which was established by its outgoing leader Colum Eastwood.

Varadkar stressed the views he expressed at the event in Derry's Playhouse on Thursday were his own and not that of his Fine Gael party.

He believed a united Ireland is likely in the coming decades, but said it was by no means certain.

Earlier this week, the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald accused the British Government of "dodging" a timeline on Irish unification.

She reconfirmed her party's commitment to have a border poll called in the next six years.

At a separate event earlier this week, Northern Ireland Secretary Hillary Benn said the restoration of the Stormont institutions created "a moment of opportunity" that needed to be seized upon.

Northern Ireland minister and Labour politician Fleur Anderson, who is under secretary of state to Hilary Benn, added she did not believe a border poll was imminent.

Ms Anderson said a border poll is "not a priority" for the Labour Party.

Leo Varadkar also told those in attendance that there should be caution about holding a border poll too soon

Varadkar told the event on Thursday that he believed Brexit and the possibility of being able to re-join the European Union had caused some people to support Irish unification that would maybe not have before.

However, he said a border poll being called at this stage would potentially be high-risk.

Varadkar said research indicates support in the south is large but shallow and that support in Northern Ireland is not assured, even among people from a nationalist background.

For Irish unification to be a success, he said, there was a need to make sure that people of a British identity are wanted and feel wanted.

He believed the Irish government should not seek to simply "accommodate" them in a new Ireland, but should seek to build a common new home for everyone who calls the island home.

Colum Eastwood thanked the young people who attended from four schools in the north west for their thoughts and ideas.

Mr Eastwood said that he wanted to build a case for a new Ireland with a reconciled people.

During a press conference after the event, Leo Varadkar said he understood why unionists may not even want to enter the Irish unity conversation.

He said he would not want to be part of a conversation around the Republic of Ireland becoming part of the United Kingdom.