Podcasts about Stormont

Sir Keir Starmer leaves Labour's party conference in Liverpool with a bold new strategy: frame the fight as Labour vs Reform UK. But is calling Nigel Farage's immigration policies “racist” a huge political risk?On this episode of Whitehall Sources, Calum Macdonald, Kirsty Buchanan (former No.10 adviser to Theresa May) and Jo Tanner (political strategist) break down:What really happened at Labour conference – and why the media narrative may differ from the inside story.The launch of Senedd Sources – completing the “Sources family” across Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and now the Welsh Senedd.Why Wales could deliver the biggest shock of the May 2026 elections if Labour loses power for the first time.Starmer's strategy against Reform UK and Nigel Farage – smart politics or a dangerous gamble?Reform UK's rapid pushback, claiming Labour's rhetoric endangers Farage's security.How this all shapes up for Labour ahead of the looming Budget and next year's elections.

Northern Ireland's education system has no idea how many children it's responsible for and there's no legal requirement for parents to tell education authorities they have a child. Stormont doesn't know how lots of children are being educated – or whether they're being educated at all. Documents show some senior Stormont officials fear these ‘missing children' are vulnerable to “sexual exploitation”. The Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride has been investigating this story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nolan talks to DUP MLA Phillip Brett and TUV MP Jim Allister.

The role of the Assembly and ExecutiveIf we were to listen to and accept at face value those in the media who criticise the Assembly and the Executive as ineffective, and who question their value or use, we would mothball both institutions and sack the MLAs.Yes, there is justifiable frustration at the failure of the institutions to address concerns on health and education and delivery on Casement Park, Saving Lough Neagh, building the A5, delivering for Gaeilgeoirí, tackling poverty and hate crimes and legacy issues alongside problems in our public services. But that is not the fault of the institutions. It lies with the political parties and others who are blocking progress.Yes, there are problems but it is wrong to tar all our politicians with the one brush and it would also be wrong to hand over responsibility for these issues to unelected civil servants and to the British government. That would be irresponsible and stupid.Does anyone really want another British Secretary of State running this place? There have been 25 British Secretaries of State, mostly mediocre and forgettable, including some who contributed enormously to the conflict.We also need to appreciate that the London government is adding to the difficulties faced by an Executive which doesn't have the financial resources to tackle some of the issues of greatest concern. All of this is an argument for the end of Westminster rule. We need to say that loudly and often. London has never ruled us in our best interests. We who call this place home are the only ones entitled or fit to do that. That includes our unionist neighbours and their representatives. The reality is that the Northern statelet was not and is not a normal society.  Partition was a unionist and British imposed response to the demand by the people of this island to independence and sovereignty. The unionist regime at Stormont immediately and successfully deepened political and sectarian discrimination and the inequalities that were part and parcel of colonisation. The Northern state was a place where non-unionists were to have no say in its running and where the institutions of the state were closed to us. After 78 years of ‘Northern Ireland' the Good Friday Agreement began a process of fundamentally changing that system. It is a process. The Agreement was and is a unique arrangement to facilitate conflicting political visions. Republicans decided to enter Stormont – a place that represented all that was wrong with the Orange State – because we believed that a space was needed in which we and unionism could moderate our differences. Other venues were considered but we believed that unionists would be comfortable within the Stormont setting. And we opted for that. However, did anyone seriously think that generations and centuries of colonisation and prejudice could be overturned quickly? That the deep rooted antipathy to all things progressive or rights based, never mind nationalist or republican, would disappear overnight or even in the short term?  Only the most naive or stupid among us would have thought the British State would acknowledge its wrong doing and embrace equality and democracy?  No dear readers.  It was always going to be a battle a day- a process that demanded and demands perseverance, doggedness, generosity, resolve and strategic focus. Especially strategic focus.Cearta Anios. In May 2022, 20,000 activists took to the streets of Béal Feirste to demand Irish language rights. This An Dream Dearg mass mobilisation of both young and old was highly symbolic, positive, cheerful and confident. Four days after this protest, the British government took the first step to introduce Irish-language legislation, paving the way for historic social change in the Northern state. This legislation provided for the repeal of the centuries old  penal-law ban on the use of I

There are billions of pounds worth of gold under the Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone. A US-based company, Darlriadan Resources, wants to mine it. But local people are divided over whether the mine would benefit or harm them, some are mounting legal challenges against it. Sinn Féin is struggling with the decision and with its policy on mining. Will the gold ever be brought out of the ground and it is – who will benefit from it? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland editor, Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When an IRA Stormont spy ring was alleged in 2002, devolution quickly plunged into crisis. A PSNI raid on Sinn Féin's Stormont offices discovered a map of castle buildings with instructions on bypassing security, and intelligence on the prison service, including personal details of prison officers. But in 2004, Denis Donaldson – the most senior republican arrested during the raids – admitted he had been a British agent all along. Months later he was murdered in Donegal. Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride has been back in the archives and has unearthed fresh details on the Stormont spy ring scandal, he joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And, are we getting a raw deal from our politicians in Stormont?

Nolan talks to former DUP Health Minister Jim Wells and PBP MLA Gerry Carroll.

Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles. Known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire, he murdered 3 people at an IRA funeral in Milltown Cemetery, west Belfast. Following his release from prison in 2000, he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was ‘performance art'. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran. This podcast was first published in April 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former DUP MLA Jim Wells and commentator Phil Kelly discuss with Nolan.

Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles. Known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire, he murdered 3 people at an IRA funeral in Milltown Cemetery, west Belfast. Following his release from prison in 2000, he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was ‘performance art'. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran. This podcast was first published in April 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I see so many problems with Northern Ireland - I just wanted to put something back, make a difference and serve the people of North Antrim - Stormont's newest MLA, the UUP's Jon Burrows, told Frank why he was embarking on a new career Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Desiree Stormont joins the show for round 2 after her initial appearance on The Ugly Dog Podcast over a year ago. We recap some of our current NAVHDA Invitational training, mindset, mental hurdles and problem solving in addition to a host of other things. Des gives a first hand account of what it's like to judge Mike in the field, and shares honestly about navigating "the dip" in training for a test like the Invitational.She also shares about the NAVHDA Lady Gang and her involvement with the group. Be sure to check them out on Facebook! This episode is brought to you by Ugly Dog Hunting Co. Shop now at UglyDogHunting.comMusic used under Creative Commons -Two Step Daisy Duke by Mr. Smith is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.

Sarah speaks with solicitor Aine Rice, who works on the Legacy Litigation and Historical Institutional Abuse Team at KRW Law, about Stormont's proposed inquiry and redress scheme for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes. With growing concerns over the scheme being ‘unfit for purpose,' Aine shares insights from her work supporting survivors and challenging systemic failings.   Aine Rice graduated from Queen's University Belfast with a degree in Law in 2020. In 2021, she joined KRW Law as a paralegal, before commencing a training contract with the firm in September 2022. She qualified as a solicitor in 2024 and joined the firm's Legacy Litigation and Historical Institutional Abuse Team. In this role, Aine has been involved in civil actions against religious organisations and state bodies in relation to historical abuse. She also advised the creators of the television series Blue Lights on a storyline involving a trainee solicitor working on a legacy case.   For more on Aine's work follow: https://krw-law.ie/

Diving deep in our weekly economy hit Plus - Canadian Union of Postal Workers urges workers to reject contract offer GUESTS: Nolan Quinn - MPP for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Moshe Lander - economics professor at Concordia University Jan Simpson - CUPW President

A model of a migrant boat with more than a dozen life-size mannequins has been placed on top of a loyalist bonfire in Co. Tyrone. All of the mannequins are dark-skinned and wearing life jackets. Below the boats, placards read: “Stop the boats. Veterans before refugees.”Matthew O'Toole is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Belfast and the Social Democratic and Labour Party's Leader of the Opposition at Stormont. He joins Kieran to discuss.Image: @GildernewColm on Twitter

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.

Also - NI charities call for Stormont's draft anti-poverty plan to be withdrawn

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.

Mark chats to Suzanne Breen, Deirdre Heenan, David McCann & Tim Cairns about the past 12 months in local politics.

Also - Iran and Israel conflict - Nolan discusses the latest developments.

'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.

Last night, violence continued in Ballymena, with cars and properties set alight, whilst rioters threw petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Stormont ministers have issued a joint appeal for an end to the violence. For more, we're joined by our correspondent Conor McCauley, and Sian Mulholland, Alliance Party MLA for North Antrim.

The latest Belfast Telegraph Lucid Talk polling shows sharp divisions on some touchstone societal issues. Among the issues surveyed in the latest poll were whether rap band Kneecap should be banned from performing at Belfast Vital, assisted dying and the Supreme Court's ruling on gender and defining what a woman is. In terms of party political support, the poll reveals the DUP are still in a rut and that power in Stormont is taking the shine off Sinn Féin. Ciarán Dunbar joined by the Belfast Telegraph's political editor Suzanne Breen. If you enjoy The BelTel, please leave us a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 19 years, the Stormont government finally has an anti-poverty strategy.

In this month's ARINS podcast, host Rory Montgomery discusses the recent UCL Constitution Unit report ‘Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' with its authors, Conor Kelly, Alan Renwick and Alan Whysall. This is episode 44 of a podcast series that provides evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate facing the island of Ireland, north and south. Host Rory Montgomery, MRIA, talks to authors of articles on topics such as cross border health co-operation; the need to regulate social media in referendums, education, cultural affairs and constitutional questions and the imperative for good data and the need to carry out impartial research. ARINS: Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South brings together experts to provide evidence-based research and analysis on the most significant questions of policy and public debate facing the island of Ireland, north and south. The project publishes, facilitates and disseminates research on the challenges and opportunities presented to the island in a post-Brexit context, with the intention of contributing to an informed public discourse. More information can be found at www.arinsproject.com ARINS is a joint project of The Royal Irish Academy, an all-island body, and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs.

More funding pressures for the PSNI - the Nolan Show can reveal it has to find another £7M from its cash strapped budget to pay for the rise in National Insurance contributions. And a former senior police officer warns about the impact on front line services and says Stormont must step in.

NIPSA say they won't tolerate the changes, and they want mitigations from the Executive. But with Stormont finances stretched to breaking point is that possible?

A few months ago, one of Stormont's most senior civil servants vanished. Mark Browne was the top official in Stormont's Department of Education. But sources have now told the Belfast Telegraph that Mr Browne and the Education Minister Paul Givan clashed over how to tackle what is now a multi-faceted crisis in Northern Ireland's education system. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new report states that Northern Ireland's public services remain 'in crisis' and Stormont needs to be able to raise more of its own revenue rather than relying on funding from Westminster. Una Kelly reports.

Internment was a key event in the history of the Troubles; In an effort to deal with increasing violence Stormont and the British Government decided to introduce internment. Almost 2,000 people were interned up until its end in December 1975 – imprisoned without a fair trial. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Dr Peter McLoughlin and by Dr Martin McCleery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plus we hear from Belfast Breakfast Baps owner Mark Young

Discussion on motability & People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll on threatening graffiti

Do we need to re-invent our Stormont politics to make real progress possible here?

Also - a factory in Belfast is to supply 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine.

Plans to extend Belfast's Glider bus service in north and south of city are scaled back

Stephen gets your views

In CI News this week: Psychiatrists warn that a shortage of consultants could render Kim Leadbeater's latest fix to her assisted suicide Bill unworkable, The Christian Institute cautions Stormont that changes to the Province's equality laws may have unintended consequences for religious liberty, and Holyrood hears of God's unfailing love. You can download the video via this link. Featured stories Top psychiatrists warn staff shortages could render Leadbeater Bill unworkable CI cautions Stormont to tread carefully with ‘standardised' equality law Secular alternative to Christian school assemblies debated in House of Lords Gospel proclaimed in Holyrood: ‘God's love never runs out'

Stephen talks to listeners about what they think about our politicians.

And Paul Givan confirms he is close to finalising a resolution in teachers' pay dispute.

Plus, a discussion on Donald Trump's first few hours back as U.S. president

Nuacht Mhall. Príomhscéalta na seachtaine, léite go mall. * Inniu an t-aonú lá déag de mhí Eanáir. is mise Siubhán Nic Amhlaoibh.Dhiúltaigh an tAire Oideachais ó Fheidhmeannas Thuaisceart Éireann Paul Givan iarratas ón scoil is mó sna Sé Chontae le bheith ina scoil imeasctha. Thacaigh tromlach soiléir thuismitheoirí na ndaltaí leis an athrú in Acadamh Bheannchair, a bhfuil timpeall 1,850 dalta ann. Ach tá cinneadh déanta anois ag Paul Givan nár cheart dul ar aghaidh leis na pleananna. Diúltíodh togra ó scoil eile i mBeannchar fosta, Bunscoil an Rátha Mhóir, chun athrú a dhéanamh ina scoil imeasctha. De réir doiciméad a d'fhoilsigh an Roinn Oideachais, mhol oifigigh go n-athrófaí an dá scoil le bheith imeasctha ach chinn an tAire gan an moladh sin a cheadú. Agus é ag diúltú do na tairiscintí, dúirt Givan nach raibh go leor fianaise ann go mbeadh dóthain daltaí Caitliceacha ag gach scoil chun oideachas imeasctha a chur ar fáil. Luaigh sé reachtaíocht Stormont ina ndeirtear gur cheart go mbeadh líon réasúnta leanaí Caitliceacha agus Protastúnacha araon i scoileanna imeasctha. "Fiú ar an anailís is dóchasaí, tá an chuma ar an scéal go mbeadh sé iontach deacair líon réasúnta a bhaint amach," a scríobh Givan.Tá an comhlacht teicneolaíochta Meta ag fáil réidh lena chuid seiceálaithe fíricí neamhspleácha ar Facebook agus Instagram, agus ag cur “nótaí pobail” i stíl cosúil leis an ardán X ina n-áit ina bhfágtar trácht ar chruinneas postálacha de chuid úsáideoirí. I bhfíseán Meta, dúirt an príomhfheidhmeannach Mark Zuckerberg go raibh modhnóirí tríú páirtí “róchlaonta ó thaobh na polaitíochta de” agus go raibh sé “in am dul ar ais go dtí ár bhfréamhacha maidir le saoirse cainte”. Tagann an t-aistriú seo agus Zuckerberg agus feidhmeannaigh eile i dtionscal na teicneolaíochta ag iarraidh caidreamh a fheabhsú le hUachtarán tofa na Stát Aontaithe, Donald Trump, sula rachaidh sé in oifig níos déanaí an mhí seo. Cháin Trump agus a chomhghuaillithe Poblachtacha Meta as a pholasaí seiceála fíricí, ag rá go ndéanann an comhlacht cinsireacht ar ghuthanna na heite deise. Ag labhairt dó i ndiaidh na hathruithe a fhógairt, dúirt Trump ag comhdháil nuachta go raibh sé an-tógtha le cinneadh Zuckerberg.Tá an Gael, scríobhneoir, agus foilseoitheoir Pádraig Ó Snodaigh ar shlí na bhfírinne. Tháinig na sluaite daoine le chéile fá choinne thórramh Phádraig, a fuair bás agus é 89 bliain d'aois, i mBaile Dúill, Baile Átha Cliath. Ba Ghael go smior é an tUasal Ó Snodaigh, agus ba dhuine mór le rá é i measc gníomhaithe Gaeilge agus chúis na teanga ó dheas. Ba iar-uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge é, a chaith a shaol ar fad ag troid ar son cearta teanga, agus é ag obair leis an ESB agus an iarsmalann náisiúnta. Chuir Pádraig an comhlacht foilsiú Coiscéim ar bun, le £1000 a bhfuair sé ar iasacht ó chara dá chuid in 1980, comhlacht a d'fhoilsigh níos mó ná 1,700 leabhar. Bhí seisear mac aige lena bhean, an t-ealaíontóir Clíodhna Cussen, a cailleadh dhá bhliain go leith ó shin; Teachta Dála is ea é mac amháin, agus tá triúr eile bainte leis an ghrúpa ceoil Kíla. Bhí a chónra caoladóireachta clúdaithe faoi bhratach scal ghréine an Chonartha agus í á tabhairt isteach go Séipéal Naomh Peadar agus Pól. * Léirithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain. Tá an script ar fáil i d'aip phodchraolta. * GLUAIS scoil imeasctha - integrated school reachtaíocht - legislation seiceálaithe fíricí neamhspleácha - independent fact checkers modhnóirí - moderators cónra caoladóireachta - wicker coffin scal ghréine - sunburst

Plus ex-BBC NI stalwart set for Kilimanjaro climb 7 years after devastating diagnosis.

The Northern Ireland Executive has published its draft budget for 2025-26 and it's now open for public consultation. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is set to receive just over £715 million pounds, an increase of 3%. But no specific funding has been allocated to address serious pollution in Lough Neagh and Andrew Muir, the environment minister, says his department has only been awarded around a third of what he'd requested for day to day spending. He describes it as ‘a difficult budget'. Historic farm diaries provide a fascinating glimpse into agricultural, social and cultural life in years gone by. So curators at the Three Rivers Museum in Hertfordshire were excited to unearth a diary written in Victorian times by a farmer from Rickmansworth called John White. Masters students at the University of Hertfordshire have been scrutinising the diary entries to see if there's anything that John's observations from 150 years ago might teach farmers today. Rearing and selling turkeys for Christmas has become a major source of income for some family farms, including Cuckoo Mill Farm at Pelcomb Bridge, in Pembrokeshire. And at this time of year, it's a real family affair, with all hands on deck. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

Fógraíodh dréacht bhuiséad do Stormont inné, le 16 billiún punt le caitheamh ar chaiteachas laethúil agus dhá bhilliún punt dírithe ar chaiteachas caipitiúil.

Matthew O'Toole, SDLP, explains why his party supports the continuation of the post-Brexit Windsor Framework for another four years.

Vótáil formhór de na hionadaithe i Stormont aréir leanacht ar aghaidh leis na socruithe trádála a bhaineann le Tuaisceart Éireann ó tharla próiseas an Bhreatimeachta.

The future of the media giant News Corp could look very different, after a US court ruled against Rupert Murdoch's wishes to leave control to his son Lachlan, meaning his other children could have influence. Sean Farrington finds out what this could mean for the company.The Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland that have been in place for four years get put to a vote in Stormont today. We hear what effects the so-called Windsor Framework has had on Ulster.And according to new research, second-hand Christmas gifts are increasing in popularity.

Highlights from Talkback. Wiliam Crawley and guests discuss the news headlines

In this series of episodes, we introduce you to some of our top experts sharing their knowledge and experience during the brightonSEO conference. Hosted by Charley Brennand, this episode dives head first into the fast-evolving evolving social and paid search landscape. We cover the dominance of video content and its place in paid search campaigns, plus the crucial importance of testing and exploration in the ever-changing world of digital marketing. So, grab your notepads and get ready to be inspired by the insights and debates from our expert panel.In this episode:05:00 Is video content essential for successful PPC campaigns? 11:24 Historical persuasion principles - why they still apply in the digital world. 30:17 Targeting flexibility and testing is the key to successful paid search campaigns. 36:33 The importance of compelling copy and visuals in paid advertising. 40:55 Using emotional storytelling - how you can create effective content based on emotional stories. 43:31 Social channels' wider effects on brand building. More about our panellists: Charley Brennand - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleybrennand/Charley is working hard to remove the barriers to entry for new talent entering the Digital Marketing industry, specifically Paid Media. She's had a VERY squiggly career by her own admission but believes everything in your career has a purpose. Danielle Gipps – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-gipps-7aa098110/Danielle is the Agency Marketing Manager at Revenue Growth Agency and an avid believer in the power of Storytelling in helping brands break through advertising noise. She has a passion for the relationship between consumer psychology, emotional connection and creativity in crafting powerful marketing campaigns. Sarah Sal – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-sal-454a1460/Sarah is a Facebook Ads Specialist with clients such as Hootsuite & AdEspresso. With 7 figures in Facebook ads spent under her belt in 10+ years, she's run ads for companies like ClickFunnels and Strategyzer. Cathryn Stormont – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathrynstormont/Cathryn has an incredible track record in achieving business growth, through both search and social advertising for the last 14 years. Helping the likes of Hobbycraft, Wiggle, Fujifilm, Mazda and Grapetree. To find out more about us and the show visit https://internetmarketingpodcast.org Like and subscribe so you never miss an episode, and leave us a comment if you enjoyed the show. Connect with us if you'd like to work with us, you'd like to feature on the podcast, or you have a guest or topic recommendation. Email kelvin@brightonseo.com or…https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvinnewman/https://twitter.com/kelvinnewman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.