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 Colombeau, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor, normally in Dublin, but this

week at home in Kildare. Each week, Brexit Republic assesses all the latest Brexit developments

in Brussels, London and Dublin. This week, the standoff over the Northern Ireland Protocol

deepens. David Frost continues to suggest it's unsustainable and hints that the UK will take,

quote, whatever steps are necessary to ensure it's acceptableustainable and hints that the UK will take, quote, whatever steps are necessary

to ensure it's acceptable to unionists.

On that point, we'll hear from Edwin Puths in his first broadcast interview since becoming

the new DUP leader. How will he approach the protocol and will he show that pragmatic

streak for which he's noted? Or has unionist opposition which critics say has been aided and abetted by Boris Johnson's government,

now gone beyond the point at which there can be any possible compromise?

We'll look at what precisely the UK is asking for on the protocol and whether or not the EU can grant it.

We'll also hear from Simon Coveney

on where the Irish government stands and we'll examine in detail the UK's letter to the European

...