Podcasts by Red Lines
The back-stop’s here? Bad puns with top political coverage from Northern Ireland. Red Lines brings you essential analysis and commentary by BBC NI’s politics team.
Further podcasts by BBC Radio Ulster
Podcast on the topic Regierung
All episodes
The Long and the Short of 2023 from 2023-12-13T16:11
Mark Carruthers reviews the year with the stars of 'The Long And The Short Of It', Tim McGarry and Dr David Hume, and Prof Deirdre Heenan, Newton Emerson and Gareth Gordon.
ListenRed, White and New from 2023-11-24T15:56
What would unionism look like if it realigned into two new parties? A traditional one and the other more socially liberal. Darran Marshall asks the experts.
ListenSinn Féin: Will their day come in 2024? from 2023-11-08T16:38
Ahead of the party's ard fheis, the panel discuss what's next for Sinn Féin? Mark is joined by Elaine Loughlin, Brian Feeney & Newton Emerson.
ListenHas Sir Jeffrey played a blinder? from 2023-10-11T16:15
Mark Carruthers asks Enda McClafferty, Suzanne Breen and Chris Donnelly if the DUP Leader has actually played a difficult political game very skilfully.
ListenBlue Lights from 2023-09-14T14:59
Former PSNI Chief Constable Sir George Hamilton speaks exclusively to Mark Carruthers about the crisis in policing. With analysis from Allison Morris & Dr Jonny Byrne
ListenRed Lines: The Eamonn McCann Interview from 2023-08-23T04:00
Mark Carruthers talks to Eamonn McCann about his influences & inspirations.
ListenRed Lines: the Ciarán Hinds Interview from 2023-08-16T04:00
Mark Carruthers talks to actor Ciarán Hinds about his influences & inspirations.
ListenRed Lines: The Kate Hoey Interview from 2023-08-09T04:00
Mark Carruthers talks to Baroness Hoey about her influences & inspirations.
ListenRed Lines: The Joe Brolly Interview from 2023-08-02T04:00
Mark Carruthers talks to Joe Brolly about his influences & inspirations.
ListenSeason Finale - What next? from 2023-07-11T15:33
Mark Carruthers asks Suzanne Breen, Brendan Hughes and Jayne McCormack to predict the political future in Belfast, London and Dublin.
ListenThe Troubles: Disputed narratives. from 2023-07-05T16:09
Mark and guests chat about how museums tell the stories of The Troubles.
ListenSelf Defence from 2023-06-29T15:45
Does Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality remain fit for purpose in an ever-changing global landscape? Mark Carruthers is joined by John O'Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Mayn...
ListenStuffed or stuck? What next for the SNP&Scottish independence? from 2023-06-21T16:19
Mark and guests assess the political landscape in Scotland.
ListenUnited Ireland: For richer or poorer? from 2023-06-14T15:03
Assessing the state of the economies in Northern Ireland & the Republic.
ListenTrading the Union from 2023-06-07T16:27
Mark Carruthers speaks to academic and author Aaron Edwards and former BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport about how unionists face up to the debate on constitutional change.
ListenThree Derry Corner from 2023-05-31T16:24
Mark Carruthers speaks to newly-returned Derry City and Strabane Councillors Ryan McCready, Lilian Seenoi-Barr and Shaun Harkin.
ListenRed Lines: Redrawing the electoral map? from 2023-05-23T13:41
What impact could the local election results have on the battle for Westminster seats?
Listen'Vote till you boke' from 2023-05-17T16:26
Mark Carruthers is joined by Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool, freelance writer and broadcaster, Amanda Ferguson and BBC NI Political correspondent,Gareth Gordon
Listen#LE23 Other from 2023-05-10T16:18
After looking at the challenges facing both nationalism and unionism in the run up to the local council election, Mark is joined by David McCann, Deputy Editor of Slugger O'Toole, Suzanne Breen,...
Listen#LE23 - Nationalists from 2023-05-03T15:20
Mark Carruthers profiles the issues within nationalism with Dr David McCann, Jayne McCormack & Brendan Hughes ahead of the local government election.
Listen#LE23 - Unionists from 2023-04-26T15:56
Mark Caruthers profiles the issues within unionism with Dr David McCann, Sam McBride and Gareth Gordon ahead of the local government election.
ListenGetting the band back together from 2023-04-19T17:08
World leaders past and present were at Queen's University this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Mark Carruthers is joined by former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern,Tony Bl...
ListenThe President is coming to town. from 2023-04-05T15:29
Mark and guests chat about US presidential visits to Northern Ireland
ListenGFA#3 The Dealmakers from 2023-03-29T16:23
There was a lot of heavy-lifting done by a lot of people to make the Good Friday Agreement happen, but some key individuals shouldered more of the burden than others. Mark Carruthers is joined b...
ListenFrom our own Correspondents from 2023-03-22T18:25
Recorded in front of a live audience as guests of the Imagine! Belfast Festival, Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Political Editor of the Belfast Telegraph, Mark Devenport, former Pol...
ListenPlaying the part from 2023-03-15T16:23
Mark Carruthers talks to writer Owen McCafferty, director Charlie Westenra and stars Dan Gordon and Andrea Irvine.
ListenTaking on the trolls from 2023-03-08T17:43
Mark Carruthers is joined by the BBC's Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent, Marianna Spring, BBC NI's Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly and Professor Deirdre Heenan to talk a...
ListenUnravelling the Windsor knot from 2023-03-01T16:25
Mark Carruthers assesses the Windsor Framework and whether the DUP will accept it with Gareth Gordon, John Campbell and Suzanne Breen.
ListenGFA#2 Women of the hour from 2023-02-22T19:52
Mark Carruthers is joined by Bronagh Hinds, one of the founding members of the Women's Coalition, Dawn Purvis, a former MLA and leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, Kathleen Stephens, the ...
ListenReading the Right from 2023-02-08T16:26
Mark & guests discuss the recent anti-migrant protests in the Republic.
ListenCoiled springs? from 2023-02-01T17:23
Mark Carruthers speaks to MLAs Patricia O'Lynn, Diane Forsythe and Mike Nesbitt about what they've been doing while Stormont hasn't been sitting.
ListenGFA25: Ep 1 - The Fourth Estate from 2023-01-25T16:30
Mark Carruthers looks back on the Good Friday Agreement with journalists Mark Simpson, David Davin-Power, Martin Fletcher and former NIO official Mary Madden.
ListenCaution;Tunnel Ahead from 2023-01-18T17:12
Mark Carruthers is joined by BBC NI's Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell, RTE's Europe Editor, Tony Connelly, Jess Sargeant from the Institute for Government, to discuss not the detail...
ListenProtocol, pounds and patients from 2023-01-11T15:55
Mark Carruthers asks Jayne McCormack, John Campbell and Marie-Louise Connolly to predict what lies ahead this year.
ListenReview of the Year from 2022-12-20T15:28
Mark Carruthers asks Tim McGarry, Enda McClafferty, Deirdre Heenan and Newton Emerson to cast their minds back to the highlights of 2022.
ListenLet's Stick Together from 2022-12-07T16:49
Mark Carruthers asks Sheila Davidson from Together UK, former MLA John McCallister and Prof Jon Tonge what the future holds for civic unionism.
ListenMalcolm in the Middle from 2022-11-30T16:05
Mark Carruthers asks Sir Malcolm McKibbin, Jayne McCormack and Newton Emerson how far civil servants can go without a government in Northern Ireland.
ListenThe Seven Year Itch from 2022-11-23T16:23
Mark Carruthers speaks to political editor Enda McClafferty, columnist Fionnuala O Connor and former special adviser Brendan Mulgrew about the state of the SDLP.
ListenThe Brady Bunch from 2022-11-16T17:09
Mark Carruthers speaks to Sir David Sterling, Jess Sargeant & Sam McBride about the running of NI’s nine government departments in the absence of Stormont ministers.
ListenUniversity challenges from 2022-11-09T16:49
Mark Carruthers speaks to Simon Hamilton, Grace Boyle, Chris McCracken & Sophia Campbell about Belfast city centre's future - in the atrium of the UU's new building in York St.
ListenPremature election from 2022-11-02T17:02
Mark Carruthers asks Political Editor Enda McClafferty, RTE's Northern Editor Vincent Kearney and Belfast Telegraph Political Editor Suzanne Breen if we're having an election.
ListenNorth Poll at Christmas? from 2022-10-26T15:28
Mark Caruthers is joined by Jayne McCormack, Sam McBride and Ailbhe Rea to ask if we're hurtling towards a December Assembly election.
ListenBrought to book from 2022-10-20T07:00
Mark Carruthers speaks to authors Malachi O'Doherty, Claire Mitchell and Ben Collins about their recent books and views on the constitutional question.
ListenMission Impossible? from 2022-10-12T15:59
Mark Carruthers is joined by Prof Katy Hayward from QUB, Ray O' Hanlon, Editor of the Irish Echo and Gareth Gordon to find out about Derek Chollet and what he's been doing here.
ListenTory story from 2022-10-05T15:26
Following the Conservative Party conference, Mark Carruthers speaks to Dominic Grieve, Kate Devlin, Kelly Beaver and Enda McClafferty.
ListenIn Liz we Truss? from 2022-09-28T13:56
New challenges for a new party leader and a mini budget with a lot consequences
ListenNew beginnings? from 2022-09-21T15:24
A new Prime Minister, a new Secretary of State and a new Monarch - but what's changed?
ListenRed Lines: The Claire Sugden Interview from 2022-08-24T05:00
Mark Carruthers chats to ex-minister Claire Sugden about her influences & inspirations
ListenRed Lines: The Bernadette McAliskey Interview from 2022-08-17T05:00
Mark Carruthers chats to Bernadette McAliskey about her influences & inspirations
ListenRed Lines: The Conor Burns Interview from 2022-08-10T05:00
Mark Carruthers chats to NIO Minister Conor Burns about his influences & inspirations
ListenRed Lines: The Michelle O'Neill interview from 2022-08-03T06:27
Mark Carruthers chats to Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill about her influences & inspirations.
ListenWhat about us? from 2022-07-07T14:31
Mark & guests discuss the PM's resignation and what it means for Northern Ireland?
ListenThe bonus episode: Leo Varadkar from 2022-07-04T12:59
Mark Carruthers speaks to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar about the Northern Ireland Protocol, north-south relations and the battle for the Dáil.
ListenWhat a difference a year makes from 2022-06-29T16:23
Mark Carruthers and panel reflect on the year in politics from the Duncairn centre
ListenConstitutional conundrum from 2022-06-22T16:42
Six years on from the Brexit referendum - how secure is the Union?
ListenPeter Weir: My political autopsy from 2022-06-14T15:50
The former education minister chats to Mark about losing his Stormont seat & what's next.
ListenIs it bye bye Boris? from 2022-06-08T15:20
Mark Carruthers is joined by Nick Watt, Kate Devlin, Alex Massie and Gareth Gordon to reflect on another memorable week at Westminster.
ListenKelly's Goodbye from 2022-06-01T15:14
Former SDLP deputy leader Dolores Kelly chats to Mark about losing her Upper Bann seat.
ListenMervyn's story from 2022-05-25T15:48
3 weeks after losing his seat in North Antrim, Mervyn Storey speaks to Mark Carruthers
ListenHybridity working? from 2022-05-18T15:17
Boris Johnson says NI has always been a place in its own right - Mark & guests discuss
ListenElection reflection from 2022-05-11T15:49
Mark Carruthers reflects on the Assembly election with David McCann, Seanín Graham and Ben Lowry. And Jayne McCormack pops in with an update on the post-election positioning.
ListenThe last lap from 2022-05-04T15:50
Mark Carruthers is joined by Enda McClafferty, Jayne McCormack and Mark Simpson to look at the final stages of the Assembly election campaign.
ListenBreaking the boundaries: North, South, East and West Belfast from 2022-04-27T15:28
Mark Carruthers and guests assess the four Belfast constituencies ahead of the election.
ListenBreaking the boundaries: Foyle and East Londonderry from 2022-04-13T15:23
Mark Carruthers and guests assess two constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
ListenBreaking the boundaries:North Down, South Down and Strangford from 2022-04-06T16:14
Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
ListenBreaking the boundaries: North Antrim, East Antrim, and South Antrim from 2022-03-30T15:01
Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
ListenBreaking the boundaries: Fermanagh&South Tyrone, Mid Ulster, and West Tyrone from 2022-03-23T15:59
Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
ListenBreaking the boundaries: Lagan Valley, Upper Bann and Newry&Armagh from 2022-03-16T17:16
In the first of our election specials Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, David McCann and Dr Clare Rice to profile three Assembly constituencies.
ListenAnd they're off... from 2022-03-09T15:59
Mark Carruthers fires the starting gun on our Assembly election coverage with Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Jayne McCormack.
ListenA devolution revolution? from 2022-03-02T16:59
Mark Carruthers asks Dr Clare Rice, former MLA John McCallister and Dr Sean Haughey if the Stormont institutions are fit for purpose?
ListenWhat state is political nationalism in? from 2022-02-22T17:37
Weeks away from the Assembly election, what state is political nationalism in?
ListenThe troubles with Belfast from 2022-02-15T16:36
A feel-good memoir of a challenging time? What are the politics of Belfast - the film?
ListenIt's the way you tell'em... from 2022-02-09T15:43
How does the government get its message across during a political crisis?
ListenThe art of politics and the politics of art from 2022-02-02T16:36
Can art catalyse political change?
ListenWhat's another year? from 2022-01-26T17:14
What's changed since the last election? Rev Steve Stockman and Fr Martin Magill reflect
ListenSinn reign? from 2022-01-19T17:05
Mark Carruthers is in Dublin to talk to Daniel McConnell, Michael Brennan and Lucinda Creighton about how the rise of Sinn Féin in the Republic continues.
Listen2022 vision from 2022-01-12T16:21
Mark Carruthers asks Marie-Louise Connolly, John Campbell and Enda McClafferty to predict what's going to happen in the coming year.
Listen100 not out from 2021-12-21T16:08
Mark Carruthers discusses the big stories of the year with Gareth Gordon, Deirdre Heenan, Newton Emerson and Tim McGarry.
ListenPaperback Writers from 2021-12-15T17:09
Susan McKay, Henry McDonald & David Torrans pick their local literary highlights of 2021
ListenReporting the Republic from 2021-12-08T17:40
Which southern stories cut through in the northern news cycle - and why?
ListenHidden history from 2021-12-01T17:50
Mark Carruthers takes to the streets with historian Colm Ó Dóghair and Gemma Reid from the Belfast Entries Project.
ListenPoll Positions from 2021-11-23T15:46
Assessing how the latest polls might translate on election day. Mark chats to Suzanne Breen, David McCann, and Peter Donaghy.
ListenAnglo-Irish disagreements from 2021-11-17T16:50
Mark Carruthers discusses the current state of relations between the UK and the Republic with historian Diarmaid Ferriter and former Conservative Minister, Michael Portillo.
ListenState of the Union from 2021-11-10T17:50
Andrea Catherwood and Allan Little chat constitutional change in Scotland and NI
ListenRiot Grrrls from 2021-11-03T18:10
Change makers, influencers and activists who have made their mark in NI
ListenTime to catch our breath from 2021-10-27T14:01
It's time to pause, review the past few weeks & look ahead to what's coming up.
ListenPolitical fact and fiction from 2021-10-20T18:46
Mark Carruthers is joined by Glenn Patterson and Brian McGilloway who've written books and articles galore about the people and the politics of Ireland north and south.
ListenIt's Complicated! from 2021-10-13T16:24
Mark Carruthers is joined by the BBC's former Ireland Correspondents, Mark Simpson & James Helm, plus the New Statesman's Political Correspondent, Ailbhe Rea, to discuss the challenges of re...
ListenConference calling from 2021-10-05T14:55
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Julia Langdon and former NIO Minister, Sir Richard Needham to ask whether Northern Ireland still matters to the Conserative Party.
ListenPact Hunch from 2021-09-29T15:00
Mark & guests discuss Northern Ireland's electoral pacts of the past and present.
ListenNorthern Writes from 2021-09-22T14:51
Mark & guests review how the Dublin media report on stories from & about Northern Ireland
ListenWrit and Wrong from 2021-09-15T16:55
Mark Carruthers is joined by libel lawyer Paul Tweed, the Belfast Telegraph's Sam McBride and former journalist and now Ulster Unionist MLA, Mike Nesbitt, to discuss his Private Members' Bill on...
ListenHere we go again... from 2021-09-08T17:00
With a new term at Stormont and an election on the way - Mark Carruthers as is joined by Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, Business & Economics Editor, John Campbell & Politic...
ListenThe rise&fall of Edwin Poots from 2021-06-23T15:36
Mark is joined by BBC's Mark Simpson, Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen & the News Letter's Sam McBride
ListenSinn Féin's gambit? from 2021-06-16T15:42
Mark chats to Enda McClafferty, Suzanne Breen & Chris Donnelly about Sinn Féin's Stormont strategy.
ListenHow to make capital on the Hill from 2021-06-09T14:43
Mark Carruthers asks Peter Sheridan from Co-Operation Ireland, Professor Deirdre Heenan and Washington commentator Shane Greer who best speaks for Northern Ireland in Washington.
ListenI'm a Politician... Get Me Out of Here! from 2021-06-02T14:49
What will Arlene Foster do next? Mark chats to the FT's Henry Mance, former MP Anna Soubry & BBC News NI's Gareth Gordon.
ListenPoll Position from 2021-05-26T16:18
Mark Carruthers is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen, data analyst Peter Donaghy and Slugger O'Toole's David McCann to crunch the numbers on the latest poll.
ListenUnpicking the Poots Putsch from 2021-05-19T16:16
Mark Carruthers asks BBC Political Correspondent Gareth Gordon and Political Editors, Suzanne Breen and Sam McBride - "What's just happened in the DUP?"
ListenRuffling feathers in Foyle from 2021-05-12T16:05
Mark is joined by commentator Chris Donnelly, ex-MLA Daithí McKay & the Irish Times' Mary Minihan to discuss Sinn Féin's problem in Foyle and look ahead to next year's election
ListenA reformation for Protestants? from 2021-05-05T15:39
Mark Carruthers discusses Unionism and Protestantism with writers Susan McKay and Claire Mitchell, a member of the Green Party.
ListenBengoa Calling from 2021-04-21T15:42
"There's as much chance of taking politics out of health as there were attempts this week to take England's top football teams out of the Premier League"
ListenRoyals, republicans and rancour from 2021-04-14T16:14
Mark Carruthers reflects on a difficult week in politics with Brian Rowan, Fionnuala O Connor and Ben Lowry.
ListenFuneral fallout from 2021-03-31T17:38
Mark Carruthers takes the political temperature at Stormont with Stephen Walker, Jayne McCormack, Allison Morris and Tim Cairns.
ListenUniting Ireland? Views from the Republic. from 2021-03-24T17:02
Assessing the debate around a united Ireland & a border poll - from the Republic.
ListenCéad Míle Zooms from 2021-03-16T16:00
Enda Kenny & Sir Christopher Meyer reminisce about US St Patrick's Day celebrations.
ListenThe Impartial Reporter from 2021-03-10T17:03
Mark Carruthers speaks to the BBC's former Head of TV News, Roger Mosey about the difficulties journalists face in maintaining neutrality.
ListenLifting lockdown from 2021-02-24T16:46
Mark Carruthers speaks to Jayne McCormack, Sam McBride and behavioural economist Prof Pete Lunn about different strategies to move out of lockdown.
Listen'United Kingdom, disunited message' from 2021-02-10T15:31
Mark Carruthers is joined by former BBC presenter Gavin Esler, Scottish journalist Alex Massie and Irish writer Mary Kenny to ask how successfully the UK is holding together.
ListenEU-turn if you want to. from 2021-02-03T17:18
Mark & guests discuss the fallout from the EU's decision to trigger Article 16
ListenBrake for the border... from 2021-01-27T17:06
How has the relationship between Stormont & Dublin impacted on the battle with covid19?
ListenMake America relate again from 2021-01-20T16:24
Mark Carruthers speaks to Ambassador Richard Haass, Prof Clodagh Harrington, Shane Greer and Chris Buckler about how Donald Trump has changed the US Presidency.
ListenZooming into Stormont from 2021-01-13T17:29
Mark Carruthers asks three of the newest faces at Stormont how they have coped with an almost virtual parliament.
ListenUnion flak? from 2021-01-06T16:42
Has the DUP fired the starting gun on its 2022 election campaign?
ListenCovid-19 in 2020 from 2020-12-16T16:52
Mark Carruthers is joined by Health Correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, Jayne McCormack and Enda McClafferty to look back on what a global pandemic has changed in 2020.
ListenTalks, deals and a 'forty foot barge pole' from 2020-12-09T16:44
Mark Carruthers discusses deal-making in Brussels and Belfast with Gareth Gordon, columnist Mary Kelly and former Number 10 spin doctor Tom Kelly.
ListenLegacy troubles from 2020-12-02T16:48
Mark Carruthers is joined by former Victims' Commissioner Judith Thompson, Rev Dr Lesley Carroll from the Eames Bradley Group, and Alan McBride from the WAVE Trauma Centre.
ListenCentenary Sensitivities from 2020-11-25T17:54
Mark Carruthers is joined by Professor Pete Shirlow, columnist Andrée Murphy and Professor Duncan Morrow to discuss marking the centenary of Northern Ireland.
ListenMandatory collision from 2020-11-18T16:41
Mark Carruthers is joined by Sam McBride, Suzanne Breen and John Manley to ask if the system of government at Stormont makes fighting a global pandemic impossible.
ListenThe Biden Identity from 2020-11-11T17:15
Mark Carruthers is joined by Fintan O'Toole, Norman Houston and Brendan O'Neill to discuss the new man heading to the White House.
ListenUnion flagging? from 2020-11-04T16:55
Mark C is joined by Lesley Riddoch, David Maddox & Patrick Maguire.
ListenPolls: Leaders, parties&the border from 2020-10-28T22:13
Mark Carruthers chats to Suzanne Breen, Chris Donnelly and Newton Emerson.
ListenDevenport departs from 2020-10-21T15:40
Gareth Gordon, Enda McClafferty, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker join Mark Carruthers to interrogate and tease the outgoing BBC NI Political Editor, Mark Devenport.
ListenBriefing Encounters 2 - Judgement Day from 2020-10-14T15:52
Polly Toynbee, John Sergeant & Alex Massie assess 6 months of Boris Johnson's leadership
ListenAmerica votes on Mass from 2020-10-07T15:14
Mark speaks to Shane Greer, Fintan O'Toole and Marion McKeone about the American election
ListenWill Irish see border? from 2020-09-30T15:11
Mark Carruthers asks John Campbell, Jess Sargeant, Newton Emerson and Naomi O'Leary if the Brexit talks are approaching crunch time.
ListenPresidential reflection from 2020-09-25T11:16
Mark Carruthers speaks to former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese about her time in office, her wish to see reform in the Catholic Church and sexism in politics.
ListenSexism in 2020 from 2020-09-23T16:01
Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Nichola Mallon and Sorcha Eastwood to discuss how women in politics still face sexual harassment.
ListenBritannia waives the rules? from 2020-09-16T15:42
Mark is joined by columnists Mary Kenny, Fintan O'Toole & BBC's John Campbell.
ListenThe Lord Chief Justice Interview from 2020-09-10T21:16
Mark speaks to Sir Declan Morgan, NI's Lord Chief Justice
ListenJulian Smith : Politics, persuasion&pints. from 2020-07-15T15:53
Mark chats to the former NI Secretary Julian Smith
ListenThe Micheál Martin interview from 2020-07-12T11:02
A chance to listen to the full extended version of Mark's interview with the Taoiseach
ListenStormont in a tea cup? from 2020-07-08T16:27
Mark Carruthers is joined by Mary Kelly, Stephen Grimason and Mark Simpson to compare Stormont's latest crisis with some of the big stories of the past.
ListenIndependence Days from 2020-06-24T15:12
Michael Portillo talks to Mark Carruthers and UCD historian, Prof Diarmaid Ferriter about his new RTE series 'Hawks and Doves', examining the Irish War Of Independence.
Listen'Cute Hoors'&Blueshirts. from 2020-06-17T15:26
The end of Civil War politics in the Republic of Ireland?
ListenO'Leary, Newton, John from 2020-06-10T15:45
Mark and guests discuss Brexit, Barnier & a return of Crazy Prices.
ListenYes Ministers from 2020-06-03T15:15
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen, Sam McBride and Brendan Hughes, to rate the Stormont Ministers' performance during the coronavirus crisis.
ListenCould Covid kill the Union? from 2020-05-27T15:31
Mark is joined by Lesley Riddoch, Alex Massie & Martin Kettle.
ListenTop Trumps from 2020-05-20T16:05
Mark Carruthers chats to the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland With analysis from Mark Devenport.
ListenGetting your steps up from 2020-05-13T15:31
Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Gareth Gordon and John Campbell, BBC NI Health Correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly, and former political advisers Tom Kelly and Guto Harri.
ListenHow the dealin's done from 2020-05-06T16:35
Mark Carruthers is joined by former British Ambassador to the US and Germany, Sir Christopher Meyer, and the Former Irish Ambassador to the UK and Italy, Bobby McDonagh and the BBC's Europe Edit...
ListenBriefing encounters from 2020-04-29T15:28
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Sergeant, Polly Toynbee and Guto Harri to talk communicating with the public during a pandemic.
ListenCrisis Critique from 2020-04-22T16:34
Mark & his guests discuss how politicians are reacting to the coronavirus pandemic.
ListenFrontline reporting from the back garden from 2020-04-08T15:09
Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Mark Devenport, John Campbell and Enda McClafferty, along with RTE's Legal Affairs turned Covid 19 correspondent, Orla O'Donnell.
ListenLock-in vs Lockdown from 2020-04-01T15:19
Mark Carruthers is joined by RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan, writer Declan Lawn and BBC NI Political Editor Mark Devenport to look at how society and is dealing with lockdown.
ListenAsking the right questions? from 2020-03-25T16:39
Discussing the interactions between media & politicians during the coronavirus outbreak
ListenRHI: Every single jot and tittle from 2020-03-18T16:22
Mark is joined by Conor Macauley, Mary Kelly & Stephen Grimason to examine the RHI report
ListenCapitol Gains from 2020-03-11T16:32
Mark, Gareth, Enda & Mary chat St Patrick's Day trips to the USA.
ListenEquality Street from 2020-03-04T16:34
Irish News columnist Mary Kelly, Green Party Leader Clare Bailey and Wendy Blundell from the Institution of Civil Engineers look at women in public life with Mark Carruthers.
ListenTrading trouble from 2020-02-25T16:35
Mark Carruthers talks trade and customs with Economics and Business Editor John Campbell, Patrick Maguire from the New Statesman and international trade expert Dr Anna Jerzewska.
ListenOn SPAD-batical from 2020-02-18T17:04
Mark, Gareth & Jayne are joined by Julian Smith's former special adviser.
ListenDáilsplaining from 2020-02-11T16:24
Mark Carruthers is joined by columnist Mary Kelly, Irish News political correspondent John Manley and unionist commentator Sarah Creighton.
ListenDearg Lines from 2020-02-04T16:45
Mark Carruthers is in Dublin to talk about the election with Mary Minihan from the Irish Times, Mary Regan from RTÉ and Virgin Media's Gavan Reilly.
ListenBrexitpast from 2020-01-28T16:37
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Campbell in Belfast and the BBC's Europe Editor Gavin Lee and Shona Murray of Euronews from Brussels.
ListenCalling a SPAD a SPAD from 2020-01-21T16:05
Mark Carruthers is joined by Mary Kelly, John Campbell and Mark Devenport to look at Special Advisers, revenue raising and an MLA pay rise.
ListenStormont returns (with added SOSNI) from 2020-01-14T16:10
Mark Carruthers is joined at Stormont by freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson, Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell, and Political Correspondent Stephen Walker.
ListenA holding pattern in high heels from 2020-01-09T16:12
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Jayne McCormack and the Press Association's Ireland Editor, David Young.
ListenClear and presenter danger from 2019-12-17T16:24
Mark Carruthers is joined by Tara Mills, William Crawley and Enda McClafferty to look back at a remarkable General Election.
ListenPaper candidates from 2019-12-11T17:11
Mark Carruthers is joined by the Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen, John Manley from the Irish News, Gareth Gordon - who left the News Letter 28 years ago - and Mark Devenport.
ListenAlliance&Westminster: Alliance election profile from 2019-12-03T16:41
Mark Devenport, Jayne McCormack and Mary Kelly join Mark Carruthers to look at the Alliance Party's election profiles.
ListenDups and downs: DUP election profile from 2019-11-26T16:20
Mark Devenport, Stephen Walker and Mary Kelly join Mark Carruthers to look at the DUP's election prospects.
ListenShinner thoughts: Sinn Féin election profile from 2019-11-19T16:33
Mark Devenport, Enda McClafferty and Suzanne Breen join Mark Carruthers to look at Sinn Féin's election prospects.
ListenShrinking Down or Larger Party? SDLP election profile from 2019-11-12T16:57
Mark Devenport, Enda McClafferty and Freya McClements join Mark Carruthers to look at the SDLP's election prospects.
ListenPolitics un-pact: UUP election profile from 2019-11-05T16:19
Mark Devenport, Gareth Gordon and Sarah Creighton join Mark Carruthers to look at the UUP's election prospects.
ListenWill Boris trade the Union? from 2019-10-30T17:36
Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Mark Devenport and Enda McClafferty and BBC Scotland Editor, Sarah Smith.
ListenNewton lays down the law from 2019-10-21T15:30
After a memorable - but brief - return to Stormont we discuss the day's events and other big moments on the hill.
ListenWhen the dealin's done? from 2019-10-17T14:50
A special Red Lines episode on the day the UK and EU agree a Brexit deal. But can it get through parliament without the DUP?
ListenThe writers' room from 2019-10-15T11:16
Mark and three top journalists and authors on writing a bestseller, nailing the story and getting the scoop.
ListenJoris Bohnson vs the Supreme Court from 2019-09-24T16:18
The Champions League final for constitutional lawyers
ListenFinn McCool, the capybara&a tub of lard from 2019-09-17T15:06
A bridge over troubled political waters? Red Lines looks at the connections between Northern Ireland and Scotland and asks whether a bridge is the obvious next step.
ListenApologies in advance... from 2019-09-10T13:50
Barnier, bigfooting and, as ever, the backstop.
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