Brexit Republic

We look in depth at the Windsor Framework, which reboots the Northern Ireland Protocol, why Unionists have rejected it, what it means for both the restoration of the Stormont Assembly and for the broader EU-UK relationship. Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Colm Ó Mongáin are joined by London Correspondent John Kilraine to discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2023

In this special episode, Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin talks to the historians behind the Documents in Irish Foreign Policy series and explores some very familiar themes from the period 1965-69 as Ireland and the UK sought to join the EEC. Guests: Dr Michael Kennedy, Dr Kate O'Malley, Dr John Gibney.

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2022

A Taoiseach and a UK Prime Minister meet in the northwest England and get on famously. Sound familiar? Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane, Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin talk pragmatism, mood music and citrus fruit.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2022

Another Northern Ireland election, but no date. A new Prime Minister in London, but what are his red lines and how red are they? Negotiations continue, but where are they going? Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin assess whether there will be a Rishi Sunak reset in EU-UK relations.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2022

A 'goodbye' from Liz Truss but no 'hello' to stability. As the UK's political upheaval rolls on, what effect will it have on relations with the EU? Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin try to make sense of an unprecedented week.

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2022

An apology from an arch-Brexiteer, warm words in London and maybe the protocol was too strict after all. Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin pinch themselves and assess how we got here.

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2022

A new British monarch, a new British Prime Minister - a new relationship with the EU? RTÉ Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin & Europe Editor Tony Connelly assess the chances of miraculous occurrences.

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2022

The Second Reading of the NI Protocol Bill in the House of Commons - how did it go down? Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin & Europe Editor Tony Connelly look at the debate & reaction. Guests: Tom Tugendhat MP - Chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Prof. David Phinnemore, Queens University Belfast

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2022

Anglo-Irish Relations hit a new low, EU-UK relations aren't far behind in the week when the legislation to disapply the Northern Ireland Protocol finally entered the Commons. What's in it and what's the way ahead? Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin gaze into the abyss. Again.

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2022

Shifting goal posts, scoreless draws - RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin review the action in this week Brexit fixtures.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2022

Forming a NI Executive is blocked by a DUP boycott over the Protocol, Dublin says there is no UK partner to make progress & the EU says Maroš Šefcovic's negotiating mandate is not going the change. So what's changed in Brexit-land? RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin review what changed over the Spring.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2022

DUP disappointment at London's reaction, John Major's broadside & the impact of dynamic alignment on Northern Ireland. Europe Editor Tony Connelly, Northern Correspondent Conor Macauley, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin round up the week. Guest: QUB's Lisa Claire Whitten

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2022

Europe Editor Tony Connelly, Northern Editor Vincent Kearney, London Correspondent Sean Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin dive into the detail of the week the DUP pulled the plug on Stormont to change the NI Protocol. Also - UK Manufacturing's first year of Brexit with the University of Birmingham's Prof David Bailey.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2022

A new February deadline looms in EU-UK talks on the Northern Ireland protocol, but there are no obvious grounds for optimism. Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan, Northern Correspondent Conor Macauley & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin round up the week.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2022

In the first episode of 2022 Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin catch up how David Frost's departure and Liz Truss's arrival will affect EU-UK discussions on matters Brexit. Guest interview: Jill Rutter - senior research fellow of UK in a Changing Europe

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2022

More political trouble on the home front for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a dourly-received EU move on medicines in Northern Ireland and fit of piscine pique are all on the war room table for London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2021

Governance (a.k.a the role of the European Court of Justice) is no longer a deal-breaker in the EU-UK talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol according to a senior British government official. Why the change of heart? Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin and London Correspondent Sean Whelan have a look.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2021

Has the prospect of Article 16 faded? Where are "constructive" talks going? Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin look at what, if anything, has changed and why. Guest: Daniel Fallen Bailey, Economic Adviser with the Irish Maritime Development Office.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2021

Ireland's 1921 withdrawal from the UK with the Anglo-Irish Treaty has been compared over the last five years with Brexit. Do such comparisons stand up? On the centenary of the Treaty, Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin & Dr John Gibney of the Royal Irish Academy's Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series take a look.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin look at how a tragedy in the English Channel highlighted existing tensions between France and the UK. Guest: Nick Witney, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2021

UK Cabinet Minister Michael Gove sees a way ahead on the NI Protocol without using Article 16. Is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship or overoptimistic overanalysis of glacial negotiations? Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin size up the tone of this week's utterances.

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin review a week of hard-hitting Brexit rhetoric and look at what pulling the Article 16 trigger might trigger.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2021

As David Frost and Maroš Šefcovic conclude another Fridays for (Brexit) future meeting of their very own, Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin look at how itchy the UK's Article 16 trigger finger is and have an in-depth look at the ongoing Anglo-French sp(r)at with John Lichfield.

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2021

Join Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin on why English Channel neighbours are poisson each other off, polling on the protocol & why senior UK diplomat Alexandra Hall Hall resigned over Brexit messaging. Guest: Alexandra Hall Hall (@23:30)

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin on the week in protocolology, new post-Brexit diplomatic ventures and the EU's Poland problems. Interviews: Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney & Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2021

Three speeches, multiple tweets and a new EU set of proposals on the NI Protocol - the week in Brexit all wrapped up in one podcast with Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin. Also - the latest post-Brexit ferry route to continental Europe.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2021

The Tory Party went to Manchester, the EU's Maros Sefcovic zoomed into Dublin & constructive EU-UK discussions on the NI Protocol may get rolling in weeks. Join RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin for a full round-up. Guest: UUP leader Doug Beattie

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2021

Host: Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin London Correspondent Sean Whelan is in Manchester for the Tory Party conference and the opening of a new Irish consulate. Europe Editor Tony Connelly has the latest on fish tensions around Jersey and the Protocol's progress.

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2021

Cologne - for the podcast that has everything: Europe Editor Tony Connelly catches up with Olaf Scholz. London Correspondent Seán Whelan talks to EU Commissioner Máiréad McGuinness about EU-UK co-operation post-Brexit. Also: Ex-Taoiseach Enda Kenny's reflections on Angela Merkel's Brexit approach. Host: Colm Ó Mongáin

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2021

With acres of ground to cover on medicines in Northern Ireland, supply chain issues in the UK and an Imperial return, Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin go the extra mile. Guest: Ian Wright, FDF CEO Ian Wright

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2021

The EU's Maros Sefcovic says 'No' to renegotiating the NI Protocol, while Jeffrey Donaldson says 'Maybe' to the DUP exiting Stormont. RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin catch up on developments - including The Black Spot. Guest: Prof. Jon Tonge, University of Liverpool.

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2021

RTÉ London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin cast an eye over the UK Government's Command Paper on the NI Protocol, cock an ear to Dominic Cummings latest interview and record their findings in the last Brexit Republic podcast of the Summer. (Back in September)

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2021

In a packed double-episode Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin are joined by QUB Prof. Katy Hayward on her new book 'The Irish Border', Tony Murphy of the European Court of Auditors on the UK's Brexit 'Divorce Bill' and Paul Adamson of Forum Europe.

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2021

As expected, the EU grants an extension to the grace period, but with the can now kicked down the road, are the seeds of an agreed outcome finally beginning to appear? Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin bring you the second episode of the week.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2021

Another extension to the grace period on chilled meats, talk of scrapping the protocol slowly sliding off the agenda and local sausage supplies. Europe Editor Tony Connelly and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin dig in late to another episode.

Transcribed - Published: 29 June 2021

After the Northern Ireland Protocol tensions at the G7, some conciliatory noises were made in London and Bruges. Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Europe Editor Tony Connelly browse through another busy week in Brexit.

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor on the week when the Northern Ireland Protocol gatecrashed the G7 & the US delivered a démarche to the UK. Guest: Anthony L. Gardner, former US Ambassador to the EU.

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin on Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney's meeting with UK Chief Negotiator David Frost, DUP leader Edwin Poots meeting with the Taoiseach & more.

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly & London Correspondent Sean Whelan join Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin on claims of Northern Ireland being blockaded by the EU, trading with Australia, 7 hours of Dominic Cummings and Swiss goings.

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2021

The EU says aligned food standards could solve 80% of NI Protocol friction. The UK calls for equivalence. Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin & Europe Editor Tony Connelly look at the stalemate & at claims the protocol is blocking access to cancer drugs in NI. Also: Northern Editor Vincent Kearney's full interview with new DUP leader Edwin Poots.

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2021

Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin is joined by Northern Editor Vincent Kearney on the new DUP leader Edwin Poots, London Correspondent Sean Whelan on the meeting between the Taoiseach and UK Prime Minister and Europe Editor Tony Connelly looks at the NI Protocol's present and Scotland's future.

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2021

Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin is joined by London Correspondent Sean Whelan on the Brexit vibes in elections in Scotland and England and by Europe Editor Tony Connelly on the latest round of naval gazing off the Jersey coast and his first impressions of Michel Barnier's impressions of the DUP as revealed in his new book.

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2021

Host: Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin Northern Editor Vincent Kearney on Brexit's role in DUP leader Arlene Foster's political demise, Europe Editor Tony Connelly on her role in Theresa May's demise and London Correspondent Sean Whelan on the road in Wales and Scotland looking at the Brexit impact on regional elections.

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2021

Former senior Irish diplomat Rory Montgomery goes in-depth with Europe Editor Tony Connelly on the awkward lunches, difficult backstops, problematic protocols and how some of the difficulties could have been avoided. Also the European Movement's Noelle O'Connell looks at the findings of the EM's latest Red C poll.

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2021

Could meetings this week in London & Brussels help calm the tensions in Belfast or is that too much to expect? Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Sean Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin discuss the detail. Guest Interviews: Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2021

On top of Brexit, EU-UK relations are still beset by the Oxford/AstraZeneca debacle, but is there hope that a reset could result from talks to end the current row? Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan look at this vial spat and catch up on other Brexit news.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2021

Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan  and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin look at the continuing Brexit fallout in tensions over vaccines, legal proceedings, protocol protestations and trading troughs. Guest: Marina Donohoe, Enterprise Ireland

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2021

In the mix this week for Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin: Ongoing protocol tensions trigger legal action, the pint that might have changed Brexit, the wearing of the green in the US, vaccines and student exchanges.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2021

What triggered the UK's unilateral move to extend grace periods - was it concern for the Union, post-Brexit hardball or both? Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin look at the slump in EU-UK relations. Also: Carol Lynch, BDO Customs and Trade Expert on upcoming import-export friction.

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2021

Will Brexit ever be a done deal or are the EU and UK destined to be locked into years of detailed wrangling over the terms of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement? Join Europe Editor Tony Connelly, London Correspondent Seán Whelan and Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin for what prove to be a perpetual podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2021