Updated 13:45

Leo Varadkar has warned troops could return to the border in the event of a botched Brexit.

According to the Taoiseach, Ireland is being "victimised" by Brexit.

Speaking to Bloomberg in Davos this morning, he asked why Ireland should have to come up with the answers to the problems posed by the UK leaving the EU.

He observed: "If the UK was to change its red lines, then of course our position could evolve.

"Let's not forget that this withdrawal agreement was drawn around all of the self-imposed red lines that the UK set for itself."

He also made warnings about a hard border.

The Taoiseach said that in a worst case scenario soldiers would be needed.

He warned that any return to a hard border would “involve people in uniform and it may involve the need, for example, for cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence, or an army presence to back it up."

He added: "The problem with that in the context of Irish politics and history is those things become targets."

Mr Varadkar stressed that Ireland is continuing to seek a backstop to ensure progress made in Ireland over the past two decades isn't lost.

On the subject of changing the withdrawal deal, he suggest Ireland has "always been open for compromise" -  citing the EU stance that alternatives to the agreement could be considered if the UK drops some of its 'red lines' in negotiations.

Yesterday, the Government here published the general scheme of the bill containing all the emergency measures that will be needed if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal.

It contains measures to allow buses and trains to still travel between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

There are amendments to make sure Irish students studying in the UK can still access their SUSI grants - and the continuation of certain social welfare payments for Irish citizens in Britain.