In all areas, the UK continues to backtrack.

The European Union argues that we should be subject to rules of the club that we have left.

The precondition is the level playing field.

We can deliver a real Brexit that achieves our objectives.

But if there is not a deal, we still need the Irish protocol or the Northern Irish protocol fully implemented.

I'm going to miss being the pantomime villain. Hello. protocol or the Northern Irish protocol fully implemented.

I'm going to miss being the pantomime villain.

Hello and welcome to Brexit Republic. RTE's podcast on Brexit.

I'm Tony Connolly, RTE's Europe editor in Brussels. And I'm Sean Whelan, RTE's correspondent in London.

And I'm Colamo Mungine, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor in Dublin.

Each week, Brexit Republic assesses all the latest Brexit developments in Brussels, London and Dublin.

This week, Edwin Puts kicks off his leadership of the DUP by accusing the Irish government of wanting to starve Northern Ireland of medicines and food

thanks to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

We'll get the reaction from Dublin and we'll examine the charge sheet.

And shipping beef from the other side of the world.

What kind of free trade agreement will Britain sign with Australia?

And what will it mean for the protocol? Talking of free trade

agreement, we'll also examine why the Swiss walked away from talks with the EU about a new

relationship. And we'll look at the treatment of EU citizens in the UK by border force.

And who could resist another look at Dominic Cummings' explosive testimony about Boris Johnson

and the handling of the

COVID pandemic during the week we'll get that in due course let's get to Edwin Putes first

...