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. 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.

I'm Sean Whelan, RTE's London correspondent, but this week in Cardiff. I'm Colm O'Mongyne, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor in Dublin.

Each week, Brexit Republic brings you all the latest developments in Dublin, Brussels and London, or wherever else they're taking place.

This week talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol move up a gear, but mixed signals continue on the prospect of a deal before Christmas and whether

or not the UK will trigger Article 16. We'll unravel the mysteries and get the view from the

Taoiseach and the leaders of the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales at the British Irish

Council in Cardiff. But first, we ended last week's podcast on a somewhat optimistic note.

Marashevich, the EU's Brexit point man, was sounding quite optimistic, saying there had been

a change of tone that he was much encouraged by on the part of the UK government.

And then last week...

I would like to make our position on these negotiations in Article 16

100% clear as he asks

whatever messages

to the contrary the EU may think

...