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 and welcome to Brexit Republic, RTEs podcast on Brexit.

I'm Tony Connolly, RTE's Europe editor in Brussels.

I'm Sean Whelan, RTE's correspondent in London. And I'm Colm O'Mongown, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor in Dublin. Each week, Brexit Republic assesses all the latest Brexit

developments in Brussels, London and in Dublin. Another crunch week. But then again, last week was

supposed to be a crunch week as well. When do the Brexit negotiations finally need to conclude?

And when will Boris Johnson decide if he's going for a hard Brexit or a no deal? We'll look at

the mounting economic and logistical costs for the UK of both as the negotiators get back

together for face-to-face talks after their COVID-related isolation.

And taking back control of British waters. Brexit means getting more fish.

But how much fish is the EU prepared to relinquish?

We assess Michel Barnier's opening offer.

And we look again at how Brexit could lay waste to long-establish food supply chains in Ireland between Ireland and the UK

and between the UK and continental Europe. And we'll explain why sausage wars suddenly grabbed the headlines this week.

But first, Tony, starting with you and we'll go to Sean after this. Bring us up to speed on how the talks are going.

Well, the talks have resumed in a face-to-face

format this evening. As far as we know, Michel Barnier travelled over to London from Brussels,

...