The Taoiseach has insisted that any heightened Brexit rhetoric isn't coming from the Irish Government.
Leo Varadkar has rejected criticism from DUP leader Arlene Foster that he needs to 'dial down the rhetoric' during Brexit negotiations.
Several British newspapers - including The Telegraph, which until his recent election as prime minister hosted a weekly column by Boris Johnson - have also dialled up attacks and criticisms of the Irish government in recent days.
Meanwhile, the British government is stepping up it's no-deal preparations with a £2.1 billion fund to stockpile medicines, hire more border officials, and run an information campaign.
Announcing the funds, British Chancellor Sajid Javid again reiterated his government's insistence that the "anti-democratic backstop" has to go in any deal.
He added: "If we can’t get a good deal, we’ll have to leave without one."
Speaking in Kilkenny today, Leo Varadkar said the potential implications of a no-deal Brexit are something Ireland should be afraid of.
He observed: "I think we should be afraid of a no-deal Brexit - a no-deal Brexit would have very serious impacts on the economy North and South and in Britain.
"It could have security implications as well, and it could have constitutional implications. So it's something that we have to prepare for nonetheless."
On the subject of the increasingly tense rhetoric, the Taoiseach said the blame does not lie with the Government here.
He argued: "I think any heightened rhetoric isn't coming from us, so there's a certain irony of being accused of that.
"I really think the rhetoric and the language that has come from the Irish Government has been very measured and very consistent over the last couple of years."
Mr Varadkar added that he's never refused a meeting request from the DUP or refused a phonecall from Arlene Foster.
He said has also invited Boris Johnson to Dublin for talks "without any preconditions".
The Taoiseach added: "What I would point out is that when it comes to negotiations on Brexit they happen between the European Union - including Ireland on the one hand, and the UK government on the other.
"No political party is involved in these negotiations: they are intergovernmental by nature."
