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.

And I'm Colom O'Mongown, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor in Dublin. Each week, Brexit Republic assesses all the latest Brexit developments in Brussels, London and Dublin.

This week we hear some fascinating insights from a key diplomat who is at the heart of the long

and tortuous tussle between the United Kingdom and the European Union over Ireland and the Irish

border. Rory Montgomery, who was Ireland's ambassador to the EU when the Brexit referendum was just a twinkle in David Cameron's eye,

talks us through the tumultuous negotiations that led first to Trees Amaze doomed withdrawal agreement

and later the revised Northern Ireland Protocol.

And what it was like to be in the room during key confrontations

between Britain and Ireland over how to resolve the border issue. And we'll be talking to Noel

O'Connell, head of the European Movement Ireland, on this week's Red Sea Pole and whether the dial is

shifting on a Brexit-induced United Ireland. But first, I suppose we better Tony pay tribute to our colleague,

Sean Whelan, who is not departed this earth, but rather departed for the nations of the

United Kingdom who are holding elections over the coming month. He's Sean is travelling to Wales

and next week to Scotland, so we're going to catch up with him when he gets back from his travels

...