Brexit Republic

By RTÉ News

What's Brexit Republic about?

Each week Brexit Republic will assess the unfolding developments, explain the complexities, and explore where and how Brexit will have an impact.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Brexit Republic episodes:

03.24.2023
Windsor Winning
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...
11.18.2022
Aiken To Join (1965-69)
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...
11.11.2022
Protocol Pragmatism
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...
10.28.2022
Low Risk Rishi?
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...
10.21.2022
Better to have Liz-ed & Lost?
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...
10.07.2022
The Brit Whisperers
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.
09.23.2022
The Resurrection
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.
07.01.2022
The Second Reading
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...
06.17.2022
Podcast: Brexit Republic - Big Deal Or No Big Deal?
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...
05.20.2022
Brexit Football - Extra Time
Shifting goal posts, scoreless draws - RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly & Deputy Foreign Editor Colm Ó Mongáin review the action in this week Brexit fixtures.
05.13.2022
Maroš's Mandate
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...
02.11.2022
Ulster Says No (To Broadcast Media)
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....
02.04.2022
Dormant Stormont?
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. ...
01.28.2022
Truss Issues
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...
01.21.2022
Sean's American Wake
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...
12.17.2021
1815, 1832, 2021
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...
12.10.2021
ECJ A-OK?
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...
12.03.2021
'Significant Gaps Remain'
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...
12.03.2021
Bonus 1921 Treaty Episode
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...
11.26.2021
Calais
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...
11.20.2021
Emollience?
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...
11.11.2021
Still Talking
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.
11.05.2021
Linger On The Trigger
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...
10.29.2021
A Turnip for the Books
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...
10.22.2021
Brexit Republic - Croeso i Gymru!
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...
10.14.2021
Brexit Free State
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...
10.08.2021
Take It Or Leave It
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...
10.01.2021
Spills, Brill & Bellyaches
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...
09.24.2021
Köln Off Time
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...
09.17.2021
Imperial Measures
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....
09.10.2021
Back With The Black Spot
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...
07.23.2021
Adjournment
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...
07.09.2021
Go Whistle
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...
07.02.2021
Ljubbly-Dubbly
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...
06.29.2021
Better Late Than Never
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.
06.18.2021
In Bruges
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...
06.11.2021
Tommy Cooper & Two Tonys
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...
06.04.2021
The Riot Act
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.
05.28.2021
DUP Heats Up, Swiss Cool Off
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.
05.21.2021
Equivalence vs Alignment
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...
05.14.2021
Ed-Win
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...
05.07.2021
La Grande Illusion
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...
04.30.2021
Arlene: A Very Brexit Coup
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...
04.23.2021
Montgomery's Brexit Memories
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...
04.16.2021
Dog Deal Diplomacy
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. ...
03.26.2021
AZ EU Do
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...
03.19.2021
The Needling Continues
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
03.12.2021
A Pintless Exercise
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...
03.05.2021
Unilateral Thinking
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...
02.26.2021
Eternal Brexit
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...

What's Brexit Republic about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Brexit Republic episodes:

Windsor Winning

Aiken To Join (1965-69)

Protocol Pragmatism

Low Risk Rishi?

Better to have Liz-ed & Lost?

The Brit Whisperers

The Resurrection

The Second Reading

Podcast: Brexit Republic - Big Deal Or No Big Deal?

Brexit Football - Extra Time

Maroš's Mandate

Ulster Says No (To Broadcast Media)

Dormant Stormont?

Truss Issues

Sean's American Wake

1815, 1832, 2021

ECJ A-OK?

'Significant Gaps Remain'

Bonus 1921 Treaty Episode

Calais

Emollience?

Still Talking

Linger On The Trigger

A Turnip for the Books

Brexit Republic - Croeso i Gymru!

Brexit Free State

Take It Or Leave It

Spills, Brill & Bellyaches

Köln Off Time

Imperial Measures

Back With The Black Spot

Adjournment

Go Whistle

Ljubbly-Dubbly

Better Late Than Never

In Bruges

Tommy Cooper & Two Tonys

The Riot Act

DUP Heats Up, Swiss Cool Off

Equivalence vs Alignment

Ed-Win

La Grande Illusion

Arlene: A Very Brexit Coup

Montgomery's Brexit Memories

Dog Deal Diplomacy

AZ EU Do

The Needling Continues

A Pintless Exercise

Unilateral Thinking

Eternal Brexit