Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he aspires to a united Ireland by consent and with cross-community support.
Mr Varadkar said he followed the idea of former SDLP leader John Hume of an “agreed Ireland”.
He said: “In terms of a United Ireland, our constitution is clear on this. Our constitution aspires to there being a united Ireland. I share that
aspiration.
“But only on the basis that it is done by consent, and when it does come about I would like to see it command a degree of cross-community support. And that’s the way I would envision it.
“I very much follow the school of thought of the great John Hume, who talked less about a united Ireland and more about an agreed Ireland and a set of relationships that we can all be happy with. That’s the way it should be.”
The taoiseach’s comments are likely to further strain his already difficult relationship with unionists.
In November, DUP leader Arlene Foster accused Irish foreign affairs minister and Mr Varadkar’s deputy, Simon Coveney, of “aggressive” behaviour after he spoke of his desire for a united Ireland.
Mr Coveney told a parliamentary committee that he wanted to see a united Ireland in his political lifetime.
He said: “I am a constitutional nationalist, I would like to see a united Ireland in my lifetime. If possible, in my political lifetime.”
Mr Coveney added that any moves toward Irish unification should be careful, should learn from the past and ensure more steps are taken to protect and include a unionist
minority.
Following his comments, Mrs Foster, left, responded: “Why then did Simon use this moment in time to talk about his aspiration for a united Ireland in his political lifetime? I think that’s quite aggressive.”
Uncertainty around Brexit has seen relations between Dublin and London and the DUP deteriorate in recent months.
Last month, Mr Varadkar admitted relations with Britain were “strained” because of disputes between governments on what kind of arrangement should be made for Northern Ireland after Brexit.
The DUP has criticised Mr Varadkar’s Fine Gael Party, saying that multiple references to the possibility of a United Ireland in current Irish politicians’ lifetimes were unhelpful.
DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson recently claimed the taoiseach and Mr Coveney had used language that would not repair relationships between the Republic’s government and unionists.
