Irish Taoiseach tells MEPs to stand together over Brexit deal on the border

“As the negotiations move forward, we will continue to rely on your support and solidarity as we work to ensure that what has been promised in theory is delivered in practice,” he said.

“There can be no backsliding.”

Phase one of the Brexit negotiations secured agreement late last year that a hard border on the island of Ireland will be avoided and the Common Travel Area between Britain and Ireland will be maintained.

The Taoiseach told MEPs that he wanted the UK to keep its ties to Europe as close and as deep as possible while protecting the EU’s internal market and the Customs Union.

And he also called for deeper unity across the bloc.

“We’re going to need to stick together if we are to protect what we have and export our values and world view,” he said.

Mr Varadkar also set out his vision for reform of the EU.

“The European ideal took flight in the second part of the 20th century when people imagined a world that was joined together by mutual interest, trust and affection, replacing one that was torn apart by jealousy, fear and animosity,” he said.

“Building on the great successes and achievements of the past, I believe that with imagination, with creativity, and with courage, we can provide a soul and a heart for Europe, creating opportunities for all our citizens.

“We can ensure that the European ideal that took flight in the last century will soar in the 21st”

The importance of the role Europe played in cementing peace on the island of Ireland was highlighted by the Taoiseach.

“It is hard to imagine the Good Friday Agreement being made without our shared membership of the European Union and the single market,” he said.

Mr Varadkar said Ireland was contemplating a future without the foundation for the accord.

“It is why we have insisted that there can be no return to a hard border on our island, no new barriers to the movement of people or to trade,” he said.

“And it is why we are so deeply grateful for the remarkable solidarity and support we have received from member states.”

“It is everything we hoped for and more. And it is proof positive of why small countries benefit so much from membership of the EU.”

During his address the Taoiseach spoke at length in French and German.

Setting out more of his ideas on reform, Mr Varadkar called for some powers to be devolved back to member states, municipalities and regions and for more engagement with citizens and more direct democracy.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage accused Mr Varadkar of being a “European Unionist whatever the cost to Ireland may be”, who is helping with the “obstructionism and the delay of Brexit” despite Dublin’s economic interests in ensuring a good UK-EU trade deal.

“It seems to me that you’re prepared to put your devotion to the European project above the interest of Irish farmers and other companies too.

“You are part, of course, of a big attempt here and elsewhere to frustrate and attempt to overturn Brexit.

“You don’t want Britain to leave because you know if they do, others will leave too, and I would just say this to you – I don’t want a second referendum on Brexit, absolutely not, but I fear that you are all working together with Tony Blair and Nick Clegg to make sure we get the worst possible deal.

“I say that because I’ve seen it all before, the difference is, if you force the Brits to do it again, there will be a different outcome.”

Mr Taoiseach Leo Varadkar dismissed any suggestions he has had any role in plots against Brexit.

“No. Not involved in any plots with anyone,” he said.

“I think Nick Clegg and Tony Blair were mentioned. I’ve never met Tony Blair. I did meet Nick Clegg once.

“But no. I’m certainly not party to any plot against the United Kingdom. I’m a friend of the United Kingdom and certainly want to be a friend of the United Kingdom.”

Mr Varadkar also declined to give his opinion on whether a second Brexit referendum should be held.

“I don’t think it would be constructive or helpful for the leader of another country to be advising that other country whether they should or should not have a second vote,” he said.

“We [Ireland] have had second votes on issues in the past but nobody told us we had to. They were decisions we came to ourselves.”

Mr Varadkar cautioned about interfering in democracy in other countries.

“I don’t think it’s anti-democratic for people to change their minds or have a second vote but any decision on the second referendum must only be one for the UK parliament and the UK people,” he said.

“We shouldn’t tell them to do that or put any pressure or expectation on them in any way. I think that would be counter-productive.”