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, 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 Colombeau-Mungown, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor in Dublin. Each week, Brexit Republic assesses all the latest Brexit developments in

Brussels, London and Dublin. This week, Mr Puts comes to Dublin and Mr Covney goes to London. We'll hear

from both the DUP leader after his Frank meeting with the Taoiseach Mikhail Martin and from Simon Kovny after his Frank breakfast meeting with Lord Frost. All it seems is not well.

Ahead of next week's eagerly awaited meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee, we'll assess why the optimism of a few months ago that a breakthrough on the Northern Ireland

protocol could be on the cards this month has given way to deep pessimism on the EU side.

And as the UK continues to criticise the protocol, or at least the EU's way of implementing

it, we'll attempt to divine London's ultimate intentions and we'll find out why London believes the protocol is not

a dog's best friend. But

first, I suppose Sean, let's start with you.

You're in London as always

but this morning Simon Coveney

was meeting with David Frost.

He spoke to you last night

...