The UTV Podcast

Robin Swann steps down from the role of Health Minister to stand in the General Election. Before leaving the Executive, Mr Swann voted against the budget - however, the UUP remain at the Executive table with Mike Nesbitt taking up the health brief. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee has the very latest from Stormont. Also, Conor Murphy returns to the Executive after he suffered a mini stroke two we...

For over 50 years Bobbie Hanvey has been capturing life right across Northern Ireland. The renowned photographer, who has received numerous awards, embarked on his remarkable career back in 1972 and has never looked back. Now, Bobbie has launched his latest exhibition in his hometown of Downpatrick. Nathan Hanna went along to find out more. You can also watch this story on ITVX.

During a visit to Belfast as part of his whirlwind campaign tour of the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to UTV Political Editor Tracey Magee.

UTV has uncovered footage dating back from 1976 of a 10-year-old boy being treated for haemophilia with Factor 8. That boy was Paul Kirkpatrick who is now in his fifties. He has lived much of his life with Hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood. The Infected Blood Inquiry found a catalogue of failings and that the treatment disaster could have and should have been avoided. Our reporter P...

The long-awaited report into the blood scandal finds there was a cover up by the NHS and the Government. Our Correspondent Gareth Wilkinson will have the latest from London with victims and our Health Minister Robin Swann.  As it's revealed that the PSNI tapped into the phones of prominent journalists here, we ask just how can that happen and what safeguards are needed? With the Republic in Europe...

WhatsApps, school funding and shipbuilding. This week's biggest stories in the UTV Vodcast with Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates.  You can watch this on ITVX.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill apologises at the covid inquiry for going to the Bobby Storey funeral. The Covid  inquiry also hears that Arlene Foster accused Michelle O'Neill of playing politics, when things were much too serious. Stormont has been back for a hundred days - just what has it accomplished; and what challenges does the restored Executive face going forward? Jordan Moates reports; a...

"I can see that people are more than angry, and I really am sorry." Those are the words of former Sinn Féin minister Caral Caral Ni Chuilin about her decision to attend the funeral of high-profile republican Bobby Storey, at the height of the Covid pandemic.  She is the first Sinn Féin politician to face questions at the UK Covid-19 inquiry about the decision to attend the funeral in west Belfast...

There is no end in sight to the thousands claiming asylum in The Republic and the issue is causing major division between the British and Irish governments. Paul Reilly reports from Dublin.  We'll be joined by the TUV Leader Jim Allister,  the Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry and by the Fianna Fail Senator Lisa Chambers. The Covid inquiry revelations keep coming thick and fast. From civil serv...

This week Carol Jordan and Deborah McAleese discuss the UK Covid Inquiry coming to Belfast.  It has been a week of revelation and insight into how the levers of power operate in Northern Ireland and, as Deborah mentions we are yet to hear from some of the most influential people.  This podcast is also available to watch on ITVX .

He has won almost everything in local football but Cliftonville's record goalscorer Joe Gormley has the chance to finally get his hands on the one medal that has so far eluded his illustrious career. This weekend the Reds take on their fierst rivals, Linfield in the Irish Cup at Windsor Park. 'Joe the goal' is celebrating his testimonial season at Solitude and Daniel Duffy caught up with him to lo...

There was a “discernible chill” between Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill following the funeral of IRA veteran Bobby Storey, the Covid-19 Inquiry has heard. Ms O’Neill attended the large-scale funeral in west Belfast for Mr Storey in June 2020 despite lockdown restrictions on public gatherings. The then head of the Northern Ireland Civil Ser...

The UK's Covid inquiry came to Belfast and day one heard explosive claims of political in-fighting, lost material and disarray within the Northern Ireland Executive as ministers tried to deal with the pandemic. More than 4,000 people in the region died with the virus across 2020 and 2021. The inquiry heard how decision making came down party-political lines. "They should hang their heads in shame,...

Disagreement between London and Dublin overshadows the meeting of the British Irish intergovernmental conference. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee will have the latest.  This is the week the Government's controversial legacy legislation kicks in. All inquests into Troubles related killings will stop, and the new Independent Commission becomes a reality.  I'll be joined by Sir Robert Buckland, who...

Carol Jordan talks menopause with Siobhan Kearney, founder of Menopause NI and Kate Muir, an expert in women's health. On May 7, Siobhan and Kate will be participating in an event being held in Belfast called Let's Talk Menopause in the Workplace’ which will bring together business leaders and HR professionals from across Northern Ireland who seeking to create supportive and inclusive workplace en...

This week Carol Jordan and Jordan Moates discuss the news making the headlines in Northern Ireland.  This week, Stormont ministers finally passed a budget, although the health minister has expressed his anger at the level of money, saying it represents a cut in what was handed out the previous year.  Sir Jeffrey Donaldson appeared alongside his wife Lady Eleanor charged with a string of historic o...

The Stormont Executive has ageed a budget, but the health minister votes against.  Robin Swann has warned of the devastating impact the reduction in funding will have on the health service.  The First Minister, deputy First Minister and Finance Minister said the budget would always be challenging and said they were disappointed with the health minister's decision to vote against it. UTV's Politica...

From the Whitehouse to the Courthouse. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson who has been credited with helping to restore power-sharing here, has appeared in court, charged with historical sex offences - including rape, spanning more than 20 years. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson is also accused of serious charges. Our correspondent Sharon O'Neill reports.

Tori Watson reports on speculation over the upcoming budget and what it might contain. Tracey Magee will have the very latest from Stormont. We'll  hear from some of the parties, as well as former civil servant Ann Watt and the economist Paul Mac Flynn. It's just over a week since UTV brought you the exclusive report of a County Armagh mother who has advanced-stage cervical cancer. Erin Harbinson'...

Erin Harbinson has advanced-stage cervical cancer. But for her and her health, it could have been very different. She had not one, not two, but three smear tests misread over the course of a decade - all had 'normal' results, or so she believed.  The mother of four was diagnosed in 2021, but was only told those vital health checks were incorrect just ahead of the announcement of a review into 17,5...

Carol Jordan discusses the past week in Northern Ireland with Jordan Moates and Louise Small. You can also watch this on ITVX. 

Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie writes to the Secretary of State to raise concerns about Sinn Fein's lack of engagement with the inquest into the Kingsmill massacre. Our Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne will have the latest. A special report on racism. Sarah McKinley speaks to victims who tell her what they think needs to happen. And in the studio we'll be joined by Muhammad Atif from t...

Carol Jordan, and Jordan Moates discuss new leaders, money for the police and trains in this week's 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...