The UTV Podcast

The delay in publishing Stormont's programme for government has been branded a 'shambolic farce' by the Leader of the Opposition.

On this episode, Gordon Lyons says he has no proposal from the GAA for a new stadium at Casement Park. I've been speaking at length to the Communities Minister.  After Sinn Fein decide not to attend St. Patrick's Day White House celebrations, we ask what it means with Tracey Magee, Niall Stanage in Washington and Kevin Doyle in Dublin. Ahead of the Prime Minister's meeting with Donald Trump in Was...

In an extended interview, Trevor Patterson talks to Tori Watson on his experience during the coronavirus pandemic.  His brother Sam died during the first wave. The family were unable to say goodbye to him and were unable to have a funeral at the time.  Trevor talks about the heartbreaking process they had to endure and how he feels the Northern Ireland Executive's response to the public inquiry in...

After four weeks of harrowing evidence, the first phase of the Omagh Bomb Inquiry concludes.  Families of the murdered, along with survivors, have all shared their heartbreaking stories. The inquiry is looking into if the Real IRA atrocity could have been prevented by state authorities in the UK. Reporters Sara O'Kane and Gareth Wilkinson report from the town.

The ITV News Traineeship is open for applications. We are offering you the opportunity to join our national and regional news teams as a trainee journalist. You will be taught all the skills you’ll need to work in one of our multi-media news operations. We’re looking for people who can demonstrate a commitment to journalism, have great story ideas and are ambitious. Carol Jordan, Maria Hassan and...

Northern Ireland's aging sewerage system is under pressure like never before, and it's seriously affecting the building trade. Stewart Robson meets one builder who says it's a crisis. You'll also hear from the new Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins. As over sixty thousand chickens are killed as part of a bird flu scare and new control measures are put in place, We ask what's being done to support...

Joining us on this episode, Justice Minister and leader of the Alliance Party Naomi Long. We ask her about reform to the Justice system, harm inflicted by paramilitaries, amongst other issues.  President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on the EU. How will that impact trade with Ireland north and south of the border? Sarah McCarron reports and we hear from a panel of experts. Our commentators a...

UTV's current affairs programme Up Close looks at the subject of assisted dying. Presenter Alison Fleming discusses the subject with Carol Jordan. You can also watch this episode on ITVX .

Exacty one year ago today our Executive and Assembly returned. The First and Deputy First Minister say much has been achieved and much more still has to be done? Our political editor speaks to Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly. We also hear from the Secretary of State Hilary Benn. He says huge effort is needed to drastically reduce Health waiting lists here. And I'll be joined by Alliance'...

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Sarah McCarron takes a look at how Northern Ireland could benefit from the government's AI action plan, and what it'll mean for businesses.

Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc, and thousands are still without power, has the political response  locally and from Westminster been enough? Tori Watson reports. And I'll be joined by representatives from the five larger  political parties.  A year on since the return of the Executive, an independent report says it needs to step up and make a difference this year.  We hear from Ann Watt, the director o...

The Secretary of State explains why he decided not to pull the Stormont Brake. We'll be joined by the Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson and the TUV Leader Jim Allister. As Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, we look at what it will mean for relations between the US and the UK and what the impact will be on the world stage... And the programme for Government in t...

As Stormont returns, health is what everyone's talking about. Dan Duffy assessess where we are now, and we're joined by Anne O'Reilly, chair of the Northern Trust. A new year brings no let up for the issue of legacy here. We ask Professor Keiran McEvoy what 2025 is likely to bring. As talks to form a government in the Republic intensify, the latest from the Irish Independent's Kevin Doyle. Exactly...

As the health crisis continues in our hospitals we ask, is there no end in sight to hours of waiting for patients to be treated in our emergency departments? You will hear from the Minister Mike Nesibtt and from health unions. The DUP want the Secretary of State to trigger the Stormont brake for the first time but will that happen? Sarah McCarron has that report and I'll be joined by the DUP's Jon...

We look back at the political highs and lows of 2024. Matt Sterling has that report. Analysing the year that was, and looking ahead to 2025, are Professors Deirdre Heenan, and Peter Shirlow, Allison Morris and Alex Kane. And we get the view on what's been a very busy year in Westminster, with Peter Cardwell and Kevin Maguire.

As MLAs prepare to vote on whether or not to extend the controversial post-Brexit trading arrangements, Paul Reilly has an in-depth report and we hear from the DUP and the SDLP Opposition. A new Government brings new Committee chairs, but what plans does the new head of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee have at Westminster? Tonia Antoniazzi will be joining us from London.  Plus, how are polit...

Counting in the Irish General Election has finished and the horse-trading now starts over who will form the next Government? We're in Dublin with our Political Editor Tracey Magee and the Irish Independent's Kevin Doyle. We'll also be speaking to senior figures from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Victims groups explain why they have no faith in the newly established ICRIR. One organisation claims thos...

With the three larger parties neck and neck in the polls, Jordan Moates reports from Dublin and we ask if there's any chance Sinn Fein could become a government party. I'll also be joined by Kevin Doyle. On Friday the House of Commons will vote on a controversial bill on assisted dying. Joining me to discuss that, the DUP's Carla Lockhart who's strongly opposed to the move and Jeevun Sandher from...

Thousands of farmers descend on Westminster demanding changes to the controversial inheritance tax changes; but will the government blink? Jordan Moates speaks at length to one farmer about his fears over the planned tax changes and what he thinks now needs to happen. I'll be joined from Westminster by the Ulster Farmers Union Vice President, John McLenaghan and; farmer Martin Williams, who helped...

Mike Nesbitt warns that he will not be able to match the pay deals agreed in other parts of the UK As UTV reveals the Education Minister ignored advice not to meet the Loyalist Communities Council. We'll hear from the Chair of the Education Committee Nick Mathison.  The Dáil has been dissolved as an Irish election is called for November 29th. After a spate of scandals engulfing Sinn Féin over rece...

On today's episode, Belfast City Councillor JJ Magee says he absolutely denies any allegation of inappropriate conduct and looks forward to being exonerated. Our Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne will have the latest. As violence against women and girls continues to plague society here, we're joined in the studio by Justice Minister Naomi Long for an in-depth interview. As the dust settles o...

The first Labour budget for fifteen years will be announced this week. How will it impact society here? We’ll chat to representatives from various sectors who will tell us what they want to see. And we'll have expert studio analysis. Plus, we’ll be joined by political betting analyst William Kedjayni who’ll be talking us through the US Presidential Election and the Tory leadership contest. Our com...

The First Minister Michelle O'Neill insists that Sinn Fein records show the teenager who received those inappropriate messages by Niall O'Donnaghaile was 17. I'll be joined by our Political Editor Tracey Magee and from Dublin by The Irish Independent's Kevin Doyle. We've already been warned by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that next week's budget will be painful, but just how bad might it be for some....

Brian Stanley leaves Sinn Fein claiming he was subjected to a kangaroo court. The party says the entire matter, which led to the internal inquiry, is now being investigated by Gardai. Thirty years after the IRA and loyalist ceasefires were announced, the Assembly will debate a motion calling on the Executive to force paramilitaries to leave the stage.  That motion is being brought by the SDLP. You...