BBC Radio Ulster

Red Lines

The back-stop’s here? Bad puns with top political coverage from Northern Ireland. Red Lines brings you essential analysis and commentary by BBC NI’s politics team.

Author

BBC Radio Ulster

Category

Government

Podcast website

www.bbc.co.uk

Latest episode

Jun 24, 2026

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Episodes

Sexism in 2020 23.09.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Nichola Mallon and Sorcha Eastwood to discuss how women in politics still face sexual harassment.

Britannia waives the rules? 16.09.2020

Mark is joined by columnists Mary Kenny, Fintan O'Toole & BBC's John Campbell.

The Lord Chief Justice Interview 10.09.2020

Mark speaks to Sir Declan Morgan, NI's Lord Chief Justice

Julian Smith : Politics, persuasion & pints. 15.07.2020

Mark chats to the former NI Secretary Julian Smith

The Micheál Martin interview 12.07.2020

A chance to listen to the full extended version of Mark's interview with the Taoiseach

Stormont in a tea cup? 08.07.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by Mary Kelly, Stephen Grimason and Mark Simpson to compare Stormont's latest crisis with some of the big stories of the past.

Micheál matters? 01.07.2020

The Good Friday Agreement is his "guiding star".

Independence Days 24.06.2020

Michael Portillo talks to Mark Carruthers and UCD historian, Prof Diarmaid Ferriter about his new RTE series 'Hawks and Doves', examining the Irish War Of Independence.

'Cute Hoors' & Blueshirts. 17.06.2020

The end of Civil War politics in the Republic of Ireland?

O'Leary, Newton, John 10.06.2020

Mark and guests discuss Brexit, Barnier & a return of Crazy Prices.

Yes Ministers 03.06.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen, Sam McBride and Brendan Hughes, to rate the Stormont Ministers' performance during the coronavirus crisis.

Could Covid kill the Union? 27.05.2020

Mark is joined by Lesley Riddoch, Alex Massie & Martin Kettle.

Top Trumps 20.05.2020

Mark Carruthers chats to the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland With analysis from Mark Devenport.

Getting your steps up 13.05.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Gareth Gordon and John Campbell, BBC NI Health Correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly, and former political advisers Tom Kelly and Guto Harri.

How the dealin's done 06.05.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by former British Ambassador to the US and Germany, Sir Christopher Meyer, and the Former Irish Ambassador to the UK and Italy, Bobby McDonagh and the BBC's Europe Editor, Katya Adler.

Briefing encounters 29.04.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by John Sergeant, Polly Toynbee and Guto Harri to talk communicating with the public during a pandemic.

Crisis Critique 22.04.2020

Mark & his guests discuss how politicians are reacting to the coronavirus pandemic.

Frontline reporting from the back garden 08.04.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Mark Devenport, John Campbell and Enda McClafferty, along with RTE's Legal Affairs turned Covid 19 correspondent, Orla O'Donnell.

Lock-in vs Lockdown 01.04.2020

Mark Carruthers is joined by RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan, writer Declan Lawn and BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport to look at how society and is dealing with lockdown.

Asking the right questions? 25.03.2020

Discussing the interactions between media & politicians during the coronavirus outbreak

RHI: Every single jot and tittle 18.03.2020

Mark is joined by Conor Macauley, Mary Kelly & Stephen Grimason to examine the RHI report

Capitol Gains 11.03.2020

Mark, Gareth, Enda & Mary chat St Patrick's Day trips to the USA.

Equality Street 04.03.2020

Irish News columnist Mary Kelly, Green Party Leader Clare Bailey and Wendy Blundell from the Institution of Civil Engineers look at women in public life with Mark Carruthers.

Trading trouble 25.02.2020

Mark Carruthers talks trade and customs with Economics and Business Editor John Campbell, Patrick Maguire from the New Statesman and international trade expert Dr Anna Jerzewska.

On SPAD-batical 18.02.2020

Mark, Gareth & Jayne are joined by Julian Smith's former special adviser.

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