Stormont Sources

Stormont is back – and so is the drama. In this week’s episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann, Tim Kearns, and Michael McKernan break down a fiery week in the Assembly: Nuala McAllister’s clash with UUP Deputy Speaker Steve Aiken – was her suspension justified? Alliance vs DUP tensions and Paul Givan’s new trans guidance for schools – is it common sense or a culture war? Gavin Robinson vs Mich...

Northern Ireland has one of the highest rates of gambling harm in the UK, yet Stormont has been slow to act. In this episode of Stormont Sources , David McCann sits down with Philip McGuigan MLA , Chair of the All-Party Group on Reducing Gambling Harm, plus, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan discuss: The personal impact of gambling addiction on individuals and families Why Northern Ireland lacks sup...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, the hosts are joined by Ulster University's Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick to delve into the draft anti-poverty strategy in Northern Ireland. They discuss the criticisms surrounding the anti-poverty strategy, highlighting its lack of actionable goals and the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to tackle poverty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

A new LucidTalk poll , published in the Belfast Telegraph , has shaken up the political landscape in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin continues to lead with 26% of the vote. The DUP trail at 17%. The big story: the TUV surge to 13% , potentially threatening DUP seats. Alliance slips to 12%, with questions over Naomi Long’s leadership . The SDLP and UUP both sit at 11%, raising big questions about union...

A new Department of Education survey has reignited one of Northern Ireland’s most controversial debates — integrated education. Just 8% of pupils currently attend integrated schools, but campaigners say that needs to change. Michael McKernan, Tim, and David clash over the numbers, the quality of education, and whether Northern Ireland’s segregated school system is a “quirk of history” that’s long...

In this episode of Stormont Sources , the team breaks down Michelle O’Neill’s revealing interview with the Belfast Telegraph — and the political shockwaves it’s sent through the Executive Office. 🔍 O’Neill claims to be “in full control” of Sinn Féin’s Northern Ireland team - but is she really? Or is this a thinly veiled swipe at her counterpart, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly? 🎙️ Tim,...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, hosts David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan discuss the ongoing challenges of government coordination in Northern Ireland. They explore the halted A5 project, highlighting the lack of inter-departmental communication and the impact of political dynamics on policy implementation. The conversation touches on the structural issues within Northern Ireland'...

In the latest episode of Stormont Sources, David, Tim and Michael navigate the complex political landscape of Northern Ireland. They kick off by taking your questions and then move onto the potential impact of lowering the voting age to 16, exploring the political and social implications of this significant change. The hosts then turn their attention to the media access and scrutiny of Northern Ir...

This week, David, Tim and Michael look into the complex political landscape of Northern Ireland, focusing on cultural tensions surrounding events like the 12th of July celebrations, the role of leadership in addressing these issues, and the economic implications of cultural events. The discussion also touches on Sinn Féin's economic narrative following Mary Lou McDonald's appearance on Good Mornin...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, the hosts delve into the political turmoil of 2015 in Northern Ireland, focusing on the NAMA trial and the implications of the acquittal of Jamie Bryson and others. They discuss the in-out ministers crisis, the impact of Mike Nesbitt's decision to withdraw from the Executive. The conversation highlights the chaotic political landscape and the challenges faced b...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David, Tim and Michael chat with Gavin Robinson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), reflecting on his first year in leadership and the challenges faced by unionism in Northern Ireland. The conversation covers the dynamics of unionist infighting, the impact of demographic changes, and the DUP's approach to cultural issues such as the Irish langua...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, the hosts discuss the ongoing delays to the A5 infrastructure project in Northern Ireland, the implications of a recent judicial review, and the political accountability surrounding it. They explore the challenges of infrastructure development in the region, the quality of debate within the assembly, and the upcoming race for the Irish presidency, focusing on p...

In this episode of the Stormont' Sources podcast, we discuss the Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) led by Minister Andrew Muir. The conversation looks at the importance of the NAP for improving water quality in Northern Ireland, the political challenges surrounding its implementation, and the need for collaboration among various stakeholders. The discussion also touches on the long-term solutions fo...

This week, David, Tim and Michael consider the recent spending review and its implications for Northern Ireland, particularly focusing on the funding for Casement Park. The discussion highlights the political reactions from various parties, the perceived fairness of funding allocations, and the historical context of sports funding in the region. The hosts look into the recent violence in Northern...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, we discuss the SDLP motion for Irish unification with guests Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan. The conversation explores the implications of the motion, the role of the SDLP in advocating for constitutional change, and the challenges of accountability and meaningful debate within the Northern Ireland Assembly. Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition, share...

In this episode, David, Tim and Michael are joined by Minister for the Economy of Northern Ireland Caoimhe Archibald. They discuss the economic priorities of Northern Ireland, focusing on regional balance, the role of Invest Northern Ireland, the skills gap in education, tourism, decarbonisation efforts, and the vast responsibilities of the Department of Economy. The conversation highlights the ch...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, David McCann, Tim Kearns, and Michael McKernan discuss various political topics affecting Northern Ireland, including reflections on past political leadership, the recent UK-EU reset, the DUP's cautious stance on new agreements, and the controversial topic of compulsory voting. The trio are also joined by Claire Hanna, the leader of the SDLP, who ch...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan cover a number of topics. Firstly, they discuss the performance of the Labour government in Northern Ireland, focusing on Keir Starmer's recent policy announcements, particularly regarding immigration and Anglo-Irish relations. The conversation explores the implications of these policies for Northern Ire...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, David, Tim and Michael take your questions! They look into the complexities of Northern Ireland's political landscape, focusing on the role of opposition in Stormont, the media's reaction to political controversies, and the economic challenges facing the region. They discuss Tim's recent viral moment on social media, highlighting issues surrounding...

This week, David, Tim and Michael look into the controversy surrounding the band Kneecap, exploring the political reactions to their statements, the cultural impact of their music, and the potential consequences of their actions. The discussion highlights the polarised views on Kneecap, the complexities of cultural accommodation in Northern Ireland, and the challenges of free speech in the context...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, David, Tim and Michael discuss the political reactions to the death of Pope Francis, focusing on the evolving attitudes of unionist parties in Northern Ireland, including the DUP, TUV, and UUP. The conversation then shifts to Aontú's proposal for a private members’ bill that would allow for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland to vote in Irish preside...

In this episode of the Stormont Sources podcast, the hosts consider the concept of the 'Rory McIlroy voter' and explore the implications of identity politics in Northern Ireland. They discuss the emergence of a soft unionist voter, the role of political parties in courting this demographic, and the challenges faced by pro-reunification parties in articulating a vision for constitutional change. Th...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David, Tim and Michael reflect on Gavin Robinson's first year as leader of the DUP with former SPAD Lee Reynolds, discussing the challenges Robinson has faced. The conversation moves onto the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, the strategic decisions made by the DUP, and the internal dynamics of the party. They also explore the need for a rebranding of the D...

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan are joined by Cara Hunter to discuss abuse faced by MLAs, as well as her controversial tweet about Irish language signs at Grand Central Station. Plus, the discussion transitions into the broader theme of welfare reform in Northern Ireland, focusing on the recent changes proposed by the UK government, the assembly'...

This conversation gets into the political landscape of Northern Ireland, focusing on the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) and its role in the current political climate. The discussion highlights the significance of mutual enforcement in trade, the challenges faced by the TUV, and the leadership of Timothy Gaston as he navigates the complexities of unionism. The speakers reflect on the historical c...