Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been accused of 'poor manners' by a DUP MP for failing to follow protocol ahead of a visit to Northern Ireland.
Mr Varadkar headed north with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier who was accused by DUP party leader Arlene Foster of not understanding unionist culture.
Mr Varadkar and Michel Barnier had earlier met in Dundalk on Monday morning at a conference focused on Brexit.
The two largest parties in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein and the DUP, are on opposing sides over the EU divorce.
Following his appearance at the conference, Mr Varadkar travelled to Northern Ireland, in a move described by the DUP as “outside of normal protocol”.
MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Leo Varadkar’s visit is another demonstration of the poor manners and disrespect which appears to be the Irish Government’s Brexit strategy.
“It is increasingly apparent that the Irish government does not seem to care about securing a sensible and pragmatic outcome from Brexit which can work for both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
But Mr Varadkar said he has “no hidden agenda”, adding that he was resolutely committed to protecting the peace process across Ireland.
He said: “We don’t want things going backwards.
He acknowledged some unionists were worried that Brexit could be used to undermine Northern Ireland’s union with Britain.
He said: “I want to repeat that we have no hidden agenda.
“Our agenda is fully transparent - it is respect for the primacy of the Good Friday Agreement and everything it represents for the people of these islands.
Mr Varadkar added: “I am determined to work with the British Government, with the political parties in Northern Ireland, with the unionist and nationalist communities to chart a way ahead.
Mr Donaldson’s comments cane after DUP leader Mrs Foster said Mr Barnier did not understand unionist culture.
She told the BBC: “He’s hearing a very strong message from the Republic of Ireland’s government, he’s hearing it from Sinn Fein.
“We have tried to get him to understand the unionist position for the people of Northern Ireland, but he hasn’t really responded to that and I’m disappointed about that.
Mrs Foster also accused the EU of aggression, telling the broadcaster: “Some of the utterances from the European Union... there’s an article in the Irish Independent today which is very aggressive in its tone.
