The UTV Podcast

Simon Harris has been elected Taoiseach by the Irish Parliament.  He was officially installed in the role in a ceremony with the Irish President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Harris takes over from Leo Varadkar who stood down from the role on Monday night. The 37-year-old becomes the youngest ever Taoiseach.  He told the Dail, it was special for him and said he looked forward to worki...

Where now for Unionism as Gavin Robinson takes over as interim DUP Leader? Marc Mallett has that report. Gavin Robinson tells this programme he has not spoken to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson since Good Friday and does not intend to do so. And He says the Irish sea border will go with faithful implementation of agreements reached. What will Leo Varadkar's legacy as Taoiseach be, and what are we to make of...

This week's UTV Podcast takes a sporting turn with Carol Jordan sitting down with Daniel Duffy and Jordan Moore. They discuss the rise of Conor Bradley after he bagged his first international goal, the sweeping changes at Ulster and Saturday night boxing.  You can also watch the podcast in its new home on ITVX.

It was a week of political earthquakes, money for education and some relief for those residents of a stricken apartment block.  Those were just a sample of the stories making the news in Northern Ireland this week, discussed by Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates in this week's UTV Podcast. The Executive released funding for the Strule shared education campus this week - with the First Minister describ...

We're discussing assisted dying. I'll be joined by campaigner Rebecca Wilcox, daugher of Esther Rantzen and former DUP Health Minister Jim Wells who's vehemently opposed to any law change. The TUV announces a formal election pact with Reform UK. I'll be joined by party leader Jim Allister following the party's weekend conference. We get the latest from London, with Kevin Maguire and Peter Cardwell...

Former IRA man and author Richard O'Rawe on the importance of Stakeknife to authorities.

America turned green for St Patrick's - and with it was the annual exodus of political figures to Washington for the celebrations. That was the main story for this week and discussed in this week's UTV Vodcast. Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates discussed how it was all smiles for the new ministers and a buzz of positivity on their various engagements. But the trip, as Jordan notes, was a bit of a bre...

Coming up in the programme, Marc Mallett reports on Stormont's first five weeks back. And In his first broadcast interview since speaking out against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson over the return of Stormont. The DUP MP Sammy Wilson tells us that the party leader has his backing. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee is in Washington. Also there, the Secretary of State. Chris Heaton-Harris tells Tracey that h...

More than two thirds of people say they’re concerned about going into Belfast city centre at night, according to new research. No late buses and a massive fall in the number of taxis means getting home is one of the biggest concerns for those planning to go out in the city. The findings come as a night time Czar is being recruited for Belfast as part of a drive to build up the night time economy....

More lives were probably lost than saved through the Army’s operation of its top agent inside the IRA’s internal security unit during the Troubles, a major independent investigation has found. The interim findings of Operation Kenova examined 101 murders and abductions linked to the Provisional IRA’s so-called “nutting squad” responsible for interrogating, torturing and murdering people suspected...

Junior doctors prepare for their first ever strike here. Is their action justified; and are they being supported by the public? We have a special report, plus we're joined by Edwina Hegarty from the NI Junior Doctors Committee. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee reports from Alliance's annual conference. We'll also be talking, in-depth, to the party's deputy leader, Stephen Farry. Our commentators...

Legacy laws, building projects, health strikes and a famous author's Northern Irish roots feature in this week's UTV Podcast weekly roundup. Carol Jordan is joined by Jordan Moates and Deborah McAleese to discuss the week's news. You can also watch this episode here.

Tracey Magee sits down with the Finance Minister to discuss the state fo Stromont's finances and how they mmight be put on a sustainable footing. Could a rates hike be a possibility.? We're also joined by the Leader of Stormont's Opposition Mathew O'Toole. The controversy continues over how to make up the shortfall in funds for the redevelopment of Casement Park. Eden Wilson has an in-depth report...

Also available as a Vodcast, Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates discuss the recent stories making the news in Northern Ireland. You can watch the episode here

The deadline is fast approaching for the ITV News traineeship for 2024/25. In this eposide, former trainees Eden Wilson, Peter Moor, Michael McGrane and Matt Sterling discuss their experiences with our current trainee Niamh McMullan. The deadline for entries is Sunday, February 25, 2024. For more information visit the traineeship page here: https://careers.itv.com/teams/media-entertainment/itv-new...

The Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly speaks at length to our Political Editor Tracey Magee. She tells here she wants to be judged by her political delivery. How do we square the circle of Northern Ireland's finances? Paul Reilly has been finding out. Wipeout for the tories in the two latest by-elections, What might that all mean for when the general election takes place? We're joined fro...

Our political editor speaks at length to the new First Minister. Michelle O'Neill tells Tracey Magee that Sinn Fein Ministers will not bring in water charges nor increase the regional rate. Speaking about victims of the troubles, she says all mothers pain is the same. Also, we hear from some of the MLAs elected way back in May 2022 as they begin their journey through this Assembly. Our commentator...

The online food blogging trend has become one of the most popular on social networks and helped businesses in the industry to mega fame, or notoriety. Holly Dineley - or Holly the Destroyer as she is known on social media - has grown a huge audience throug documenting her eating out experiences. She talks to UTV's Carol Jordan about how she decides where to go, what the new trends are on the resta...

After two years, our politicains are finally back at work. The in-tray is huge. The finances are tight. The work to be done - immense. Throughout the programme we'll be discussing all issues with a range of experts and contributors.

It's reported that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the party Executive that the talking was over and it was decison time. With us in the studio Professor Deirdre Heenan from Ulster University, Belfast Telegraph Politcal Editor Suzanne Breen and commentator Alex Kane. Later you will also hear from commentators Chris Donnelly and Moore Holmes. Also, Niall Donnelly talks to two former Political Editors, o...

The contaminated blood scandal has been described as the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the national health service. In the late 1970s and early 80 patients contracted deadly diseases like HIV and Hepatitis through infected blood products used to treat medical conditions. The Infected Blood Inquiry examing the scandal has announced it will publish its much delayed findings next May....

The DUP leader insists the talking with the government continues and progress has been made. He says he's not spooked by ill informed sources who are leaking to the media. To discuss the latest developments, I'll be joined by senior representatives from most of the main political parties. The strikes brought Northern Ireland to a halt last week, but what will the union's next moves be? Sarah Clark...

A former sub post master says he regrets admitting to fraud after the Post Office's faulty computer system wrongly reported shortfalls of seventeen thousand pounds in his branch accounts. Lee Williamson is one of more than 700 people handed criminal convictions after Fujitsu’s faulty Horizon software made it appear as though money was missing from their branches - a scandal which hit a nerve with...

Northern Ireland is braced for the biggest mass strike in its history with an estimated 170,000 expected to take to picket lines. UTV journalists Carol Jordan, Deborah McAleese and Marc Mallett discuss what will be affected and how the impact will last longer than just the one day.

Tens of thousands plan to walk out. What will the impact be of the monumental strike action on Thursday? Tori Watson has an in-dpeth report and we hear from several unions. The deadline to call a Stormont election or extend the legislation also comes on Thursday. What will the Secretary of State's move be? We have analysis from our political editor Tracey Magee and Kevin Doyle from the Irish Indep...