The UTV Podcast

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...

Demolition work has begun on the former home of UTV 'Havelock House'. The 150-year-old building was first created as a linen factory in the late 1800s, before housing soldiers during WW2 and even a secret radar operation. Resident groups and historians have campaigned to maintain the site, or at least to save the Victorian part of the building. However, work is now underway by developers to demoli...

What chance of any progress on Stormont returning? Sarah McKinley has a special report, and we'll be joined by an expert panel. Friction between the The British and Irish Governments over Dublin's challenge to the legacy legislation. We hear from NIO Minister Lord Caine. And tonight's commentators are Deirdre Heenan, David McCann and Peter Shirlow.

An endurance athlete about to embark on a row across the Atlantic has opened up about his battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following the Creeslough disaster. Jason Black had called to the filling station in the County Donegal village and became a first responder when it was destroyed in the suspected gas explosion which killed 10 people. He’s an internationally renowned climber but has s...

Gymnast star Rhys McClenaghan opens up about how he dealt with mental health issues with Daniel Duffy.

Belfast actor James Martin has had a meteoric rise to stardom. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to win an Oscar after the short, An Irish Goodbye, won best live action short film. He and his dad Ivan talk to Rita Fitzgerald on their road to Tinsel Town.

Confusion reigns about the state of play between the DUP and the Government, over their Windsor Framework negotiations. What is clear, is that the all party talks at Hillsborough Castle have ended. In this quick pod, UTV Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne reports on the days events while Political Editor Tracey Magee interviews Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and provides her analysis on the talks proc...

It's the last View From Stormont of 2023. Matt Sterling looks back on the year that was; plus, we're joined by Alex Kane, Allison Morris, David McCann. They'll analyse the key events of 2023 and look forward to what might happen next.

NI Football legend Gerry Amtrong speaks to Ali Fleming ahead of tonight's Homemade Heroes series on UTV at 8.30pm. He tells us how George Best helped him land a commentating career, how close he and the squad of 82 are to this day and why making the programme has allowed younger generations of the family to see their late mother and grandmother, who chatted to a young reporter named Eamonn Holmes...

Christmas is exactly four weeks away; could Stormont be back by then? On this week's View from Stormont podcast: the talking between the government and the DUP continues but is there any chance of a breakthrough any time soon? We're joined by the SDLP MP Claire Hanna; and the TUV Leader Jim Allister. The polictial fall out from those shocking riot scenes in Dublin last week; we're joined by Gavan...

Could a deal to restore Stormont be on the horizon? Speculation that an agreement could be close has increased, following comments from the former DUP leader and First Minister, Peter Robinson. The DUP heavyweight has been speaking about his party's discussions with the government over the post-Brexit trading arrangements, saying we're close to the time when decisions must be taken. Our Political...

That decision to remove members of the East Belfast UVF; what will it mean to the local community? Deborah McAleese has a special report. Plus, we're joined by the academic and writer Dr Aaron Edwards, and the Grand Secretary of the Orange Order, the Reverend Mervyn Gibson. The Tory MP Sir Robert Buckland fiercley criticises those advocating for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rig...

The biennial UK Space Conference comes to Northern Ireland for the first time. It brings together academics, industry professionals like astronauts and potential investors. The conference provides a platform for the space sector to exchange ideas, plans, and partnerships that encourage development and success in the emerging space age. Robert Hill, head of the Northern Ireland Space Cluster is one...

The Sinn Fein President sets out her party's ambition to be in government on both sides of the border. We'll hear from the Vice President, Michelle O'Neill. The Department of Finance predicts a potential overspend of more than one billion pounds this year. David Sterling, former Head of the civil service says there's an absence of hope, adding that it could take up to five years to fix the financi...

On this episode, Jordan Moore talks to Albert Ward, a lecturer and reseacher at Oxford University, about how immigration is shaping Northern Ireland's religious makeup.

Calls for the Secretary of State to step in and help those financially stranded by last week's flooding. Can our local politicians do anything for the people and businesses affected? We'll be speaking to representatives of the five main parties. The King's speech is coming up at the state opening of Parliament, but will Northern Ireland even get a mention? Paul Reilly has the latest from Westminis...

In the past few months, Carol Jordan and Deborah McAleese have been looking at the reasons why people go abroad for surgery, in particular bariatric surgery. In the last few days warnings have been sounded about going abroad and the risks that that involves, but as Carol and Deborah have found out through their investigations, that story isn't always black and white.

We have a special report from Sarah McKinley on how foodbanks here continue to play a vital role for many families. We'll be joined by Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick from Ulster University, economist Paul Mac Flynn and Independent Councillor Paul McCusker. What impact will the five day strike by veterinary staff at our ports have on produce coming in from Britain? We're joined by a range of experts And the...

It's the Rugby World Cup final this weekend, and the Springboks and All Blacks playing at the Stade de France. The last time these two rugby powerhouses met in the final was 1995, when Francois Pienaar captained the South Africans to victory. That win in Johannesberg in 1995 was significant for reasons beyond rugby; then President Nelson Mandela used the moment as a chance to promote reconciliatio...