U105 Podcasts

A new study found that one in three parents here has been pushed into debt by the cost of school uniforms and back to school supplies. Frank spoke to Cllr Paul Doherty, from Foodstock. about some of their programmes and about holiday hunger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should boys play with Barbie dolls? Sports presenter Alan Brazil started a debate after a young male relative would have no interest in 'playing with dollies'. Does he have a point? Frank spoke to Amanda Ferguson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV presenter Richard Madeley described NI as 'close to a basket case' from an economic standpoint - does he have a point? Does it reduce the likelihood of a United Ireland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hot weather can be dangerous for our pets - how can you keep them safe during a heatwave? Frank spoke to Tara Cunningham from Causeway Coast Dog Rescue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unemployed people on sickness benefits could soon be £2,500 a year better off than those working full-time on the national living wage. Is that fair? Frank spoke to commentators Tom Kelly and Mick Fealty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new documentary is to air, showing the impact Ulster Scots people had on the founding of America and the source of their Bill of Rights - Frank spoke to the man behind it, GB News reporter Dougie Beattie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you fancy an Extra Virgin Daiquiri? How about a straight shot of olive oil? The UK's first olive oil bar has just opened in London. What are the health benefits of this 'green gold' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would a £100 fine for vaping in a bus shelter be too harsh? Or is it a necessary clamp-down, by the government, on anti-social behaviour? Frank spoke to Mick Fealty, editor of Slugger O'Toole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could a panel of experts from the worlds of business, the arts and charitable sector do a better job than our politicians of drafting policy? Frank spoke to journalist John Manley about the return of the Civic Forum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine you could devise a sure-fire way to win the Lotto. Well, in 1992, an Irish syndicate attempted to do just that. A film has just been released telling their story. Frank spoke to director Ross Whitaker and Maurice Owens from the syndicate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new joint fund has launched helping women to support women. Frank spoke to two of the women involved - Orla Black from the Community Foundation NI and Amanda Ferguson, chair of Give Inc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'There's a long tradition in Belfast of really good graffiti, we want to provide a space for those guys to meet and paint, where it's legal' - Adam from Seedhead Arts spoke to Frank as new graffiti walls are made available for street art Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'There's a sense that our Executive parties aren't taking this matter seriously, otherwise we would've seen action' - SDLP MLA Colin McGrath and local man Jim Boylan spoke to Frank about unpleasant smells around Warrenpoint harbour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you like a shorter work week? 17 companies carried out a trial of a four-day work week. All 17 have decided to keep the routine. Frank spoke to Mark Haslam, founder of Loud Mouth Media in Belfast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can we prevent children as young as nine from accessing 'vile' pornography? A safeguarding expert told MPs that primary aged children in NI were being exposed to extreme content on social media. Frank spoke to Wayne Denner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel sympathy for the chancellor, after she shed tears in the Commons? The PM did eventually show his support, but should he have come out sooner to back her? Frank spoke to former Westminster speech writer Tom Kelly and Deirdre Maguire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly half of drivers admit to tailgating - which was linked with 140 UK road deaths last year. Should we increase the penalty, which currently sits at three points and a £100 fine? Frank spoke to Davy Jackson from Roadsafe NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should new dads be given longer paternity leave? The government has committed to reviewing current arrangements, which haven't changed since their introduction in 2003. Frank spoke to Alex from campaign group Dad Shift Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Male violence here is going unchallenged, the strategies we have to tackle it are too slow' - Helen Price from the Women's Rights Network NI and Cllr Hannah Irwin spoke to Frank after a man was charged with the murder of Sarah Montgomery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'For 83,343 of us, we're over an hour from a surgeon, for some of those patients, it's over two hours - it's a very scary time to be sick in Fermanagh' Helen from the SOAS campaign warns of the risk if emergency surgery at SWAH is permanently closed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should wealthy people pay more tax to fund concessions on benefit cuts? Is the welfare system being abused? Frank spoke to Dr David McCann from the Stormont Sources and Shimeon Lee from the Taxpayers Alliance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Police have opened an investigation into the performances by Kneecap and Bob Vylan at Glastonbury. Are they likely to face prosecution and what could it mean for Lucy Connolly's case? Frank spoke to ex-Met detective Peter Bleksley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A pair of American podcasters has described Belfast as 'violent' and 'crazy' after a recent visit to record a live show. Are they being unfair? Frank spoke to deputy lord mayor, Paul Doherty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has the closure of local bank branches made it harder to do business? Roger Pollen from FSB NI told Frank the ease of setting up an online account could damage local banking provision over the long term Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is 18 too young to be a politician? Reform UK's George Finch has been put in charge of a county council in England, after the previous leader resigned. Frank spoke to Dr David McCann from the Stormont Sources podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The judgement came as a body-blow...there's a real question about competence here and a huge human cost to these delays' Daniel McCrossan reacted to the court ruling on the A5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'When someone gets up to speak, it's very clear they're reading pre-scripted notes that you suspect they didn't write and have never read before' - Prof Deirdre Heenan didn't pull any punches on the standard of debate at Stormont Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister says Kneecap appearing at Glastonbury is 'inappropriate' - what do you think? Has the response of politicians helped or hindered the popularity of the west Belfast rap group? Frank spoke to Mick Fealty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 50 people will be jumping off a cliff in Ballycastle - Frank spoke to one of those preparing to take the plunge for an amazing cause, as well as the woman behind the event and the mum of an incredible young fundraiser, Alex Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A decade since the launch of Tinder, people seem to be falling out of love with dating apps. Could there be room for a new way of dating? Andrew Adams is the man behind an upcoming 'Pitch a Mate' event in Belfast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Attempts to strengthen, improve and enhance the bill have been rejected - this bill will undermine and fundamentally shift the dial with regards to the value that people place on life - Carla Lockhart told Frank why she's voting against the Assisted Dying Bill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Everyone wants the interest rate to come down, but it's unlikely to change much this calendar yet' - chartered accountant Ross Boyd spoke to Frank ahead of the Bank of England's expected freeze on interest rates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'There's cross-party support as well as significant local support, yet there's no sign of the work' - Green Party councillor Brian Smyth spoke to Frank about the frustrating delays to a pedestrian crossing in south Belfast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Parents need to know where their children are - we don't want to see young people with criminal records' DUP MLA Gary Middleton spoke to Frank after a second night of riots in the Nailor's Row area of Londonderry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would locking up rioters actually solve the problem? Belfast Telegraph columnist Malachi O'Doherty's not convinced. He spoke to Frank about what might be a more effective punishment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'More than proud, to see these young lads who came through our youth system - it's a massive achievement' - Geoff Wylie, chair of the NI Darts Organisation reacted to local players Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney winning the Darts World Cup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'We're one of the most nature-depleted parts of Europe...if we can't take that seriously, what good is the Executive?' Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole has criticised DUP/SF opposition to the Nutrient Action Plan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'We've got your back, we're here to speak up for you' - Cllr Gary McKeown says it's important that politicians make it clear that migrants and people of other nationalities shouldn't live in fear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'There's political forums for these discussions, that's where it should be - it should never descend into violence' - Jonathan Buckley warned those involved in disorder risk a criminal record. Frank also spoke to deputy mayor Jess Johnston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I left as the windows started coming in around us, the staff stayed til the very end to make sure everyone was out - it was very frightening' - Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly spoke to Frank after masked youths set fire to Larne Leisure Centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should school children have daily PE lessons? Charity the Youth Sports Trust have warned nearly half of young people are getting 30 minutes activity a day - the Chief Medical Officer recommends one hour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Belfast introduce a congestion charge? Oxford is to trial a temporary charge, to alleviate traffic jams - could it reduce journey times and encourage public transport uptake? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Officers were injured after another night of rioting in Ballymena. Frank spoke to reporter Peter McVerry, DUP MLA Paul Frew, TUV councillor Matthew Warwick and Darren Ferguson from Beyond Skin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'It shouldn't have happened - it caused anxiety and stress for pensioners across NI - we need to hear how it will affect people here' - SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan spoke to Frank about the government's u-turn on the winter fuel payment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Case law is allowing perpetrators to get the most pitiful sentences you could imagine' - UUP justice spokesman Doug Beattie spoke to Frank as his party brings a motion on sentencing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'One family I spoke to hid in their roof space until they could be safely escorted out by police - that's not reflective of the vast majority who protested last night' Sian Mulholland spoke to Frank after disturbances in Ballymena Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The industry needs help. We're creating an environment where it's less attractive for the people coming to the venues and working in them' -restaurateur Eamon McCusker spoke to Frank as 1 in 4 firms say they're making a loss Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A majority in NI say they want Stomont to take more action to deal with child poverty, but are our politicians listening? Frank spoke to Peter Bryson, head of Save the Children in NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor Richard Dormer spoke to Frank about Blue Lights, meeting his hero and why he's proud to be an ambassador for the charity SOS NI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fight and a champion that united the country - former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan spoke to Frank as he marks the 40th anniversary of his world title win against Eusebio Pedroza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are GPs being pushed towards privatisation? Frank spoke to Dr Frances O'Hagan, from the BMA and Prof Deirdre Heenan, after a senior doctor warned of an exodus from the NHS to the private care sector Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.