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, RTEs podcast on Brexit.

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

And I'm Colomalem O'Mongown, RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor, currently at home in Kildare.

Each week, Brexit Republic brings you all the latest developments in Dublin, Brussels and London.

This week, the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons and passed comfortably, with 295 votes in favour and 221 against.

There was no rebellion on the Conservative benches, although 75 Tory MPs did abstain,

notably the former Prime Minister Theresa May, who said the bill broke international law.

We'll give you a flavour of that debate and Mrs May's intervention,

and we'll explore why UK officials now believe the bill will become law much quicker than many have expected

and what that will mean for EU-UK relations.

And as the UK government continues to lamb-based the protocol

for having dire consequences for the people of Northern Ireland,

the latest poll shows support for the protocol is growing with caveats.

We'll hear from Professor David Finnamore from Queen's University, Belfast.

But I suppose, first, Tony, let's give people a flavour of that debate.

...