Brexit means Brexit and we're going to make a success of it.

We have got a cast iron assurance and a guarantee from the British government.

The particular problems around the Irish border are being used politically to try to frustrate Brexit.

Northern Ireland must leave the European Union on the same terms as the rest of the United Kingdom.

Northern Ireland would form part of our customs territory.

Hello and welcome to Brexit Republic RTE's podcast on Brexit.

I'm Tony Connolly, RTE's Europe editor, just arrived in Dublin.

And I'm Sean Whelan, RTE's London correspondent in Westminster.

And I'm Colombeau and RTE's Deputy Foreign Editor with the Cold, also in Dublin. Each week,

Brexit Republic assesses all the latest Brexit developments in Brussels, London and Dublin.

Seven days and counting. The path is now almost clear for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union next Friday after 47 years of membership and a torrid three-year divorce negotiation.

The With withdrawal agreement bill is given royal assent after a swift passage through the House of Lords,

with Boris Johnson's huge majority in the Commons ensuring there were no last-minute amendments or changes.

That just leaves the European Parliament to ratify the treaty next Wednesday,

and Brexit will become a reality.

Not much will immediately change as the transition period kicks in until the end of December, most likely.

But the skirmishing over the future trade relationship is already underway, with

sharp, then mixed signals from the British ministers about how far the UK will diverge from

EU regulations. We'll also hear about how the UK will manage the farming sector once those

EU subsidies are gone and we'll be exploring why Ireland is nervous over Boris Johnson's understanding of the controls that'll be needed in the Irish Sea. But first to you, Sean, Royal Ascent, it's on its way. It's a reality. They're getting out the suits, polishing up the champagne corks, not getting out the fireworks, as we discussed in another podcast, but the Brexit celebrations

for those who are celebrating it will kick off next week. Yes, and I think they won't be

using champagne. That is a continental product specific to one particular county of France. Bookfast,

...