Varadkar hopes for 'decisive' outcome from UK general election
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Thursday that he is holding out for a decisive outcome from the UK general election on 12 December as more uncertainty would be problematic for negotiations with the European Union.
Varadkar did not agree that the choice was between a hung parliament and a victory for Mr Johnson.
"I don’t think the parties looking for a second referendum want a hung parliament either. They would like to have a majority as well."
Speaking in Brussels attending a two-day summit of EU leaders, the Irish leader said: "The best thing for Ireland, for the UK and for Europe would be an end to the uncertainty, so whether that's prime minister Johnson winning with a large majority, or Remain parties winning a majority. We'll work with whatever the outcome is.
"Obviously it’s entirely a matter for the people to the United Kingdom to elect who they want. I just hope the result is decisive, so we know where we’re going over the next few months."
What has been very hard to work with was a hung parliament that wasn't able to come to a majority decision on anything. I just hope we're not in that position tomorrow,” he added.
He also said that trade negotiations with the UK were crucial for Ireland as well as the leaving party in the talks.
"Brexit doesn't just end with the UK leaving the European Union. We move on to the next phase and that's going to be really important.
"[The Withdrawal Agreement] doesn't solve the issue of trade, and the trading relationship between Britain and Ireland is essential for our agri-food sector, for our exporters and our small businesses. So it's going to be really crucial for Ireland that we get a good deal on trade with the UK.
The Taoiseach said he expected the rest of the EU leaders, as well as himself, to “stay up late and watch the results come in.”
Results for the UK general elections were expected early on Friday morning with most districts set to announce their local results overnight.