Hello and welcome to this bonus episode of Radlions.

In this edition, we're bringing you the full extended interview

with the former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin.

Right, so we're happy...

You happy to go? Yeah?

Okay.

So we're happy for level, and that's us now recording.

I'm just thinking back to September 2023 when you were Taoiseach and you said you believed at that point Ireland was on the path to unification and there'd be a United Ireland you believed in your lifetime. Where do you think Ireland is on that path as of today? I don't think a United Ireland is inevitable.

I think it's something that we have to work towards.

But I think there are a lot of factors that would suggest that we're on that trajectory,

particularly demographic factors, particularly polling, even the most recent number is showing

that a very clear majority of younger people in Northern Ireland

want there to be a new and united Ireland and I think that will carry true and that's why

I think it's something that we should plan for and I think it's something that shouldn't just be an

aspiration it's something that should be an objective of the Irish government and of Irish

society. So not inevitable but do you think in your heart of hearts it is a possibility there could be a United Ireland in your lifetime?

Yes, but I don't think it'll just happen by osmosis or by accident.

I think it has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it and also I think it has to be worked towards. I think those of us who believe in it have a duty to make the case for it.

And also I think we need to make sure that when the question is put to the people north and south on this matter,

that we've taught through all of the hard questions they may ask us.

And I've seen a few times referendums pass and a few times referendums fail.

And often they fail because we weren't able to answer properly the questions that the public

...