As a country, we are confident about the future, says Ireland’s Varadkar

Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said Ireland needs its friends in the United States “more so than ever” during these uncertain times.

During a speech in Washington DC, the Taoiseach told the audience that Ireland is fully committed to its membership of the European Union.

“While others may make a different decision, we see ourselves at the heart of the common European home which we help to build,” he said.

“We want to maintain and enhance the transatlantic relationship and we are determined to protect the Good Friday Agreement and everything that flows from it.

“So, whatever happens in the coming months, we are sure about our place in the world, we know where we are going and, as a country, we are confident about the future.”

Nr Varadkar was speaking at the Ireland Funds dinner in the National Building Museum during his annual St Patrick’s Day visit to the US.

His comments came as MPs are set to vote on whether to keep the UK in the EU longer than planned after Prime Minister Theresa May’s authority over Brexit suffered another major blow.

The vote on extending Article 50 comes after MPs defied the Government and dramatically decided to rule out a no-deal withdrawal from the EU amid what some Tory Brexiteers described as “chaotic” scenes in Westminster.