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.
Casement snark
Mark Carruthers is joined by Jayne McCormack, David McCann and MLAs Sorcha Eastwood, Mike Nesbitt and Colin McGrath to discuss Casement Park, Assembly tensions and Dublin money.
2/21/2024 • 40 minutes, 38 seconds
Back to School
Mark is joined by Gareth Gordon & a few MLAs as Stormont gets back up and running.
2/6/2024 • 39 minutes, 45 seconds
Red Lines: The Michelle O'Neill interview
First broadcast in August 2022: Mark Carruthers talks to Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill about her life in politics.
2/1/2024 • 29 minutes, 53 seconds
Is anyone in charge?
Who is actually running Northern Ireland?
1/17/2024 • 33 minutes, 4 seconds
The Long and the Short of 2023
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.
12/13/2023 • 48 minutes, 32 seconds
Red, White and New
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.
11/24/2023 • 24 minutes, 5 seconds
Sinn Féin: Will their day come in 2024?
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.
11/8/2023 • 31 minutes, 29 seconds
Has Sir Jeffrey played a blinder?
Mark Carruthers asks Enda McClafferty, Suzanne Breen and Chris Donnelly if the DUP Leader has actually played a difficult political game very skilfully.
10/11/2023 • 30 minutes, 35 seconds
Blue Lights
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
9/14/2023 • 29 minutes, 52 seconds
Red Lines: The Eamonn McCann Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to Eamonn McCann about his influences & inspirations.
8/23/2023 • 29 minutes, 46 seconds
Red Lines: the Ciarán Hinds Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to actor Ciarán Hinds about his influences & inspirations.
8/16/2023 • 29 minutes, 57 seconds
Red Lines: The Kate Hoey Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to Baroness Hoey about her influences & inspirations.
8/9/2023 • 29 minutes, 46 seconds
Red Lines: The Joe Brolly Interview
Mark Carruthers talks to Joe Brolly about his influences & inspirations.
8/2/2023 • 38 minutes, 18 seconds
Season Finale - What next?
Mark Carruthers asks Suzanne Breen, Brendan Hughes and Jayne McCormack to predict the political future in Belfast, London and Dublin.
7/11/2023 • 34 minutes, 42 seconds
The Troubles: Disputed narratives.
Mark and guests chat about how museums tell the stories of The Troubles.
7/5/2023 • 36 minutes, 28 seconds
Self Defence
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 Maynooth University, Dr Karen Devine a lecturer in International Relations at Dublin City University, and Daniel McConnell, the Editor of the Business Post.
6/29/2023 • 27 minutes, 15 seconds
Stuffed or stuck? What next for the SNP & Scottish independence?
Mark and guests assess the political landscape in Scotland.
6/21/2023 • 34 minutes, 44 seconds
United Ireland: For richer or poorer?
Assessing the state of the economies in Northern Ireland & the Republic.
6/14/2023 • 36 minutes, 28 seconds
Trading the Union
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.
6/7/2023 • 30 minutes, 23 seconds
Three Derry Corner
Mark Carruthers speaks to newly-returned Derry City and Strabane Councillors Ryan McCready, Lilian Seenoi-Barr and Shaun Harkin.
5/31/2023 • 35 minutes, 57 seconds
Red Lines: Redrawing the electoral map?
What impact could the local election results have on the battle for Westminster seats?
5/23/2023 • 34 minutes, 25 seconds
'Vote till you boke'
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
5/17/2023 • 28 minutes, 4 seconds
#LE23 Other
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, the Belfast Telegraph's Political Editor and BBC NI's Political Editor, Enda McClafferty to discuss the issues confronting the 'other' parties as they prepare to contest 462 seats across 11 council areas.
5/10/2023 • 34 minutes, 4 seconds
#LE23 - Nationalists
Mark Carruthers profiles the issues within nationalism with Dr David McCann, Jayne McCormack & Brendan Hughes ahead of the local government election.
5/3/2023 • 35 minutes, 33 seconds
#LE23 - Unionists
Mark Caruthers profiles the issues within unionism with Dr David McCann, Sam McBride and Gareth Gordon ahead of the local government election.
4/26/2023 • 34 minutes, 36 seconds
Getting the band back together
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 Blair's former Chief of Staff, Jonathan Powell, Professor Monica McWilliams,and Ireland Professor of Poetry, Paul, Muldoon, to discuss how the currently stalled process might get back on track.
4/19/2023 • 34 minutes, 21 seconds
The President is coming to town.
Mark and guests chat about US presidential visits to Northern Ireland
4/5/2023 • 35 minutes, 18 seconds
GFA#3 The Dealmakers
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 by David Kerr, the former Director of Communications with the UUP, his opposite number in the SDLP, Conall McDevitt, Kate Fearon who was the Women's Coalitions's Chief of Staff and Mark Simpson, who covered the negotiations for BBC NI .
3/29/2023 • 59 minutes, 2 seconds
From our own Correspondents
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 Political Editor of BBC NI and Gareth Gordon, Political Correspondent with BBC NI, to discuss the challenges of political journalism over the last 25 years.
3/22/2023 • 49 minutes, 55 seconds
Playing the part
Mark Carruthers talks to writer Owen McCafferty, director Charlie Westenra and stars Dan Gordon and Andrea Irvine.
3/15/2023 • 38 minutes, 9 seconds
Taking on the trolls
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 about their experiences dealing with online abuse and discuss what more platforms can do to try and stop it.
3/8/2023 • 38 minutes, 10 seconds
Unravelling the Windsor knot
Mark Carruthers assesses the Windsor Framework and whether the DUP will accept it with Gareth Gordon, John Campbell and Suzanne Breen.
3/1/2023 • 32 minutes, 50 seconds
GFA#2 Women of the hour
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 former US Consul General in Belfast and Liz O’Donnell, a former Progressive Democrat TD and Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs plus of course Mark Simpson who was the BBC Political Correspondent covering the negotiations.
2/22/2023 • 52 minutes, 53 seconds
D(UP)-Day
What are the big decisions facing the DUP & Sir Jeffrey Donaldson?
2/15/2023 • 32 minutes
Reading the Right
Mark & guests discuss the recent anti-migrant protests in the Republic.
2/8/2023 • 31 minutes, 46 seconds
Coiled springs?
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.
2/1/2023 • 34 minutes, 22 seconds
GFA25: Ep 1 - The Fourth Estate
Mark Carruthers looks back on the Good Friday Agreement with journalists Mark Simpson, David Davin-Power, Martin Fletcher and former NIO official Mary Madden.
1/25/2023 • 50 minutes, 27 seconds
Caution;Tunnel Ahead
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 details of a potential deal but the process of getting all sides across the line.
1/18/2023 • 31 minutes, 44 seconds
Protocol, pounds and patients
Mark Carruthers asks Jayne McCormack, John Campbell and Marie-Louise Connolly to predict what lies ahead this year.
1/11/2023 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Review of the Year
Mark Carruthers asks Tim McGarry, Enda McClafferty, Deirdre Heenan and Newton Emerson to cast their minds back to the highlights of 2022.
12/20/2022 • 42 minutes, 44 seconds
Leo V 2.0
Leo Varadkar returns as Taoiseach this weekend. Where might Micheál Martin go?
12/14/2022 • 35 minutes, 9 seconds
Let's Stick Together
Mark Carruthers asks Sheila Davidson from Together UK, former MLA John McCallister and Prof Jon Tonge what the future holds for civic unionism.
12/7/2022 • 32 minutes, 1 second
Malcolm in the Middle
Mark Carruthers asks Sir Malcolm McKibbin, Jayne McCormack and Newton Emerson how far civil servants can go without a government in Northern Ireland.
11/30/2022 • 32 minutes, 6 seconds
The Seven Year Itch
Mark Carruthers speaks to political editor Enda McClafferty, columnist Fionnuala O Connor and former special adviser Brendan Mulgrew about the state of the SDLP.
11/23/2022 • 29 minutes, 15 seconds
The Brady Bunch
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.
11/16/2022 • 31 minutes, 35 seconds
University challenges
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.
11/9/2022 • 32 minutes, 23 seconds
Premature election
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.
11/2/2022 • 27 minutes, 51 seconds
North Poll at Christmas?
Mark Caruthers is joined by Jayne McCormack, Sam McBride and Ailbhe Rea to ask if we're hurtling towards a December Assembly election.
10/26/2022 • 30 minutes, 7 seconds
Brought to book
Mark Carruthers speaks to authors Malachi O'Doherty, Claire Mitchell and Ben Collins about their recent books and views on the constitutional question.
10/20/2022 • 34 minutes, 23 seconds
Mission Impossible?
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.
10/12/2022 • 31 minutes, 8 seconds
Tory story
Following the Conservative Party conference, Mark Carruthers speaks to Dominic Grieve, Kate Devlin, Kelly Beaver and Enda McClafferty.
10/5/2022 • 32 minutes, 3 seconds
In Liz we Truss?
New challenges for a new party leader and a mini budget with a lot consequences
9/28/2022 • 26 minutes, 1 second
New beginnings?
A new Prime Minister, a new Secretary of State and a new Monarch - but what's changed?
9/21/2022 • 40 minutes, 51 seconds
Red Lines: The Claire Sugden Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to ex-minister Claire Sugden about her influences & inspirations
8/24/2022 • 30 minutes, 2 seconds
Red Lines: The Bernadette McAliskey Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to Bernadette McAliskey about her influences & inspirations
8/17/2022 • 29 minutes, 55 seconds
Red Lines: The Conor Burns Interview
Mark Carruthers chats to NIO Minister Conor Burns about his influences & inspirations
8/10/2022 • 30 minutes, 1 second
Red Lines: The Michelle O'Neill interview
Mark Carruthers chats to Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill about her influences & inspirations.
8/3/2022 • 29 minutes, 53 seconds
What about us?
Mark & guests discuss the PM's resignation and what it means for Northern Ireland?
7/7/2022 • 26 minutes, 45 seconds
The bonus episode: Leo Varadkar
Mark Carruthers speaks to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar about the Northern Ireland Protocol, north-south relations and the battle for the Dáil.
7/4/2022 • 35 minutes, 48 seconds
What a difference a year makes
Mark Carruthers and panel reflect on the year in politics from the Duncairn centre
6/29/2022 • 41 minutes, 50 seconds
Constitutional conundrum
Six years on from the Brexit referendum - how secure is the Union?
6/22/2022 • 29 minutes, 2 seconds
Peter Weir: My political autopsy
The former education minister chats to Mark about losing his Stormont seat & what's next.
6/14/2022 • 27 minutes, 48 seconds
Is it bye bye Boris?
Mark Carruthers is joined by Nick Watt, Kate Devlin, Alex Massie and Gareth Gordon to reflect on another memorable week at Westminster.
6/8/2022 • 31 minutes, 34 seconds
Kelly's Goodbye
Former SDLP deputy leader Dolores Kelly chats to Mark about losing her Upper Bann seat.
6/1/2022 • 28 minutes, 59 seconds
Mervyn's story
3 weeks after losing his seat in North Antrim, Mervyn Storey speaks to Mark Carruthers
5/25/2022 • 29 minutes, 12 seconds
Hybridity working?
Boris Johnson says NI has always been a place in its own right - Mark & guests discuss
5/18/2022 • 27 minutes, 46 seconds
Election reflection
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.
5/11/2022 • 31 minutes, 56 seconds
The last lap
Mark Carruthers is joined by Enda McClafferty, Jayne McCormack and Mark Simpson to look at the final stages of the Assembly election campaign.
5/4/2022 • 26 minutes, 33 seconds
Breaking the boundaries: North, South, East and West Belfast
Mark Carruthers and guests assess the four Belfast constituencies ahead of the election.
4/27/2022 • 38 minutes, 48 seconds
Breaking the boundaries: Foyle and East Londonderry
Mark Carruthers and guests assess two constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
4/13/2022 • 29 minutes, 25 seconds
Breaking the boundaries:North Down, South Down and Strangford
Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
4/6/2022 • 29 minutes, 39 seconds
Breaking the boundaries: North Antrim, East Antrim, and South Antrim
Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
3/30/2022 • 28 minutes, 30 seconds
Breaking the boundaries: Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Mid Ulster, and West Tyrone
Mark Carruthers and guests assess three constituencies ahead of the Assembly election.
3/23/2022 • 30 minutes, 18 seconds
Breaking the boundaries: Lagan Valley, Upper Bann and Newry & Armagh
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.
3/16/2022 • 28 minutes, 29 seconds
And they're off...
Mark Carruthers fires the starting gun on our Assembly election coverage with Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Jayne McCormack.
3/9/2022 • 41 minutes, 59 seconds
A devolution revolution?
Mark Carruthers asks Dr Clare Rice, former MLA John McCallister and Dr Sean Haughey if the Stormont institutions are fit for purpose?
3/2/2022 • 30 minutes, 24 seconds
What state is political nationalism in?
Weeks away from the Assembly election, what state is political nationalism in?
2/22/2022 • 28 minutes, 28 seconds
The troubles with Belfast
A feel-good memoir of a challenging time? What are the politics of Belfast - the film?
2/15/2022 • 25 minutes, 54 seconds
It's the way you tell'em...
How does the government get its message across during a political crisis?
2/9/2022 • 28 minutes, 28 seconds
The art of politics and the politics of art
Can art catalyse political change?
2/2/2022 • 26 minutes, 23 seconds
What's another year?
What's changed since the last election? Rev Steve Stockman and Fr Martin Magill reflect
1/26/2022 • 27 minutes, 27 seconds
Sinn reign?
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.
1/19/2022 • 29 minutes, 50 seconds
2022 vision
Mark Carruthers asks Marie-Louise Connolly, John Campbell and Enda McClafferty to predict what's going to happen in the coming year.
1/12/2022 • 27 minutes, 57 seconds
100 not out
Mark Carruthers discusses the big stories of the year with Gareth Gordon, Deirdre Heenan, Newton Emerson and Tim McGarry.
12/21/2021 • 51 minutes, 55 seconds
Paperback Writers
Susan McKay, Henry McDonald & David Torrans pick their local literary highlights of 2021
12/15/2021 • 28 minutes, 2 seconds
Reporting the Republic
Which southern stories cut through in the northern news cycle - and why?
12/8/2021 • 26 minutes, 48 seconds
Hidden history
Mark Carruthers takes to the streets with historian Colm Ó Dóghair and Gemma Reid from the Belfast Entries Project.
12/1/2021 • 27 minutes, 56 seconds
Poll Positions
Assessing how the latest polls might translate on election day. Mark chats to Suzanne Breen, David McCann, and Peter Donaghy.
11/23/2021 • 28 minutes, 38 seconds
Anglo-Irish disagreements
Mark Carruthers discusses the current state of relations between the UK and the Republic with historian Diarmaid Ferriter and former Conservative Minister, Michael Portillo.
11/17/2021 • 28 minutes, 10 seconds
State of the Union
Andrea Catherwood and Allan Little chat constitutional change in Scotland and NI
11/10/2021 • 27 minutes, 24 seconds
Riot Grrrls
Change makers, influencers and activists who have made their mark in NI
11/3/2021 • 26 minutes, 48 seconds
Time to catch our breath
It's time to pause, review the past few weeks & look ahead to what's coming up.
10/27/2021 • 29 minutes, 7 seconds
Political fact and fiction
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.
10/20/2021 • 30 minutes, 45 seconds
It's Complicated!
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 reporting the politics of this place
10/13/2021 • 30 minutes, 2 seconds
Conference calling
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.
10/5/2021 • 28 minutes, 54 seconds
Pact Hunch
Mark & guests discuss Northern Ireland's electoral pacts of the past and present.
9/29/2021 • 29 minutes, 28 seconds
Northern Writes
Mark & guests review how the Dublin media report on stories from & about Northern Ireland
9/22/2021 • 29 minutes, 37 seconds
Writ and Wrong
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 updating defamation law in Northern Ireland.
9/15/2021 • 36 minutes, 31 seconds
Here we go again...
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 & Political Editor, Enda McClafferty to discuss the challenges ahead.
9/8/2021 • 31 minutes, 15 seconds
The rise & fall of Edwin Poots
Mark is joined by BBC's Mark Simpson, Belfast Telegraph's Suzanne Breen & the News Letter's Sam McBride
6/23/2021 • 30 minutes, 17 seconds
Sinn Féin's gambit?
Mark chats to Enda McClafferty, Suzanne Breen & Chris Donnelly about Sinn Féin's Stormont strategy.
6/16/2021 • 28 minutes, 43 seconds
How to make capital on the Hill
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.
6/9/2021 • 27 minutes, 45 seconds
I'm a Politician... Get Me Out of Here!
What will Arlene Foster do next? Mark chats to the FT's Henry Mance, former MP Anna Soubry & BBC News NI's Gareth Gordon.
6/2/2021 • 31 minutes, 3 seconds
Poll Position
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.
5/26/2021 • 32 minutes, 56 seconds
Unpicking the Poots Putsch
Mark Carruthers asks BBC Political Correspondent Gareth Gordon and Political Editors, Suzanne Breen and Sam McBride - "What's just happened in the DUP?"
5/19/2021 • 32 minutes, 54 seconds
Ruffling feathers in Foyle
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
5/12/2021 • 29 minutes, 12 seconds
A reformation for Protestants?
Mark Carruthers discusses Unionism and Protestantism with writers Susan McKay and Claire Mitchell, a member of the Green Party.
5/5/2021 • 30 minutes, 52 seconds
Over & Oust
Mark Devenport & Ken Reid join Mark to assess Arlene Foster's leadership of the DUP.
4/28/2021 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Bengoa Calling
"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"
4/21/2021 • 33 minutes, 46 seconds
Royals, republicans and rancour
Mark Carruthers reflects on a difficult week in politics with Brian Rowan, Fionnuala O Connor and Ben Lowry.
4/14/2021 • 30 minutes, 10 seconds
Funeral fallout
Mark Carruthers takes the political temperature at Stormont with Stephen Walker, Jayne McCormack, Allison Morris and Tim Cairns.
3/31/2021 • 34 minutes, 45 seconds
Uniting Ireland? Views from the Republic.
Assessing the debate around a united Ireland & a border poll - from the Republic.
3/24/2021 • 31 minutes, 57 seconds
Céad Míle Zooms
Enda Kenny & Sir Christopher Meyer reminisce about US St Patrick's Day celebrations.
3/16/2021 • 33 minutes, 48 seconds
The Impartial Reporter
Mark Carruthers speaks to the BBC's former Head of TV News, Roger Mosey about the difficulties journalists face in maintaining neutrality.
3/10/2021 • 25 minutes, 8 seconds
Making a drama out of a crisis
What makes a good Troubles drama?
3/3/2021 • 32 minutes, 28 seconds
Lifting lockdown
Mark Carruthers speaks to Jayne McCormack, Sam McBride and behavioural economist Prof Pete Lunn about different strategies to move out of lockdown.
2/24/2021 • 27 minutes, 33 seconds
Red herrings & Swiss cheese
Time to catch our political breath...?
2/17/2021 • 32 minutes, 37 seconds
'United Kingdom, disunited message'
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.
2/10/2021 • 29 minutes, 39 seconds
EU-turn if you want to.
Mark & guests discuss the fallout from the EU's decision to trigger Article 16
2/3/2021 • 28 minutes, 38 seconds
Brake for the border...
How has the relationship between Stormont & Dublin impacted on the battle with covid19?
1/27/2021 • 30 minutes, 27 seconds
Make America relate again
Mark Carruthers speaks to Ambassador Richard Haass, Prof Clodagh Harrington, Shane Greer and Chris Buckler about how Donald Trump has changed the US Presidency.
1/20/2021 • 35 minutes, 23 seconds
Zooming into Stormont
Mark Carruthers asks three of the newest faces at Stormont how they have coped with an almost virtual parliament.
1/13/2021 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Union flak?
Has the DUP fired the starting gun on its 2022 election campaign?
1/6/2021 • 28 minutes, 47 seconds
Covid-19 in 2020
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.
12/16/2020 • 32 minutes, 17 seconds
Talks, deals and a 'forty foot barge pole'
Mark Carruthers discusses deal-making in Brussels and Belfast with Gareth Gordon, columnist Mary Kelly and former Number 10 spin doctor Tom Kelly.
12/9/2020 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Legacy troubles
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.
12/2/2020 • 32 minutes, 29 seconds
Centenary Sensitivities
Mark Carruthers is joined by Professor Pete Shirlow, columnist Andrée Murphy and Professor Duncan Morrow to discuss marking the centenary of Northern Ireland.
11/25/2020 • 27 minutes, 52 seconds
Mandatory collision
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.
11/18/2020 • 26 minutes, 41 seconds
The Biden Identity
Mark Carruthers is joined by Fintan O'Toole, Norman Houston and Brendan O'Neill to discuss the new man heading to the White House.
11/11/2020 • 34 minutes, 44 seconds
Union flagging?
Mark C is joined by Lesley Riddoch, David Maddox & Patrick Maguire.
11/4/2020 • 28 minutes, 58 seconds
Polls: Leaders, parties & the border
Mark Carruthers chats to Suzanne Breen, Chris Donnelly and Newton Emerson.
10/28/2020 • 30 minutes
Devenport departs
Gareth Gordon, Enda McClafferty, Jayne McCormack and Stephen Walker join Mark Carruthers to interrogate and tease the outgoing BBC NI Political Editor, Mark Devenport.
10/21/2020 • 33 minutes, 47 seconds
Briefing Encounters 2 - Judgement Day
Polly Toynbee, John Sergeant & Alex Massie assess 6 months of Boris Johnson's leadership
10/14/2020 • 25 minutes, 32 seconds
America votes on Mass
Mark speaks to Shane Greer, Fintan O'Toole and Marion McKeone about the American election
10/7/2020 • 29 minutes, 12 seconds
Will Irish see border?
Mark Carruthers asks John Campbell, Jess Sargeant, Newton Emerson and Naomi O'Leary if the Brexit talks are approaching crunch time.
9/30/2020 • 25 minutes, 11 seconds
Presidential reflection
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.
9/25/2020 • 28 minutes, 1 second
Sexism in 2020
Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Nichola Mallon and Sorcha Eastwood to discuss how women in politics still face sexual harassment.
9/23/2020 • 28 minutes, 6 seconds
Britannia waives the rules?
Mark is joined by columnists Mary Kenny, Fintan O'Toole & BBC's John Campbell.
9/16/2020 • 28 minutes, 54 seconds
The Lord Chief Justice Interview
Mark speaks to Sir Declan Morgan, NI's Lord Chief Justice
9/10/2020 • 24 minutes, 38 seconds
Julian Smith : Politics, persuasion & pints.
Mark chats to the former NI Secretary Julian Smith
7/15/2020 • 34 minutes, 48 seconds
The Micheál Martin interview
A chance to listen to the full extended version of Mark's interview with the Taoiseach
7/12/2020 • 28 minutes, 15 seconds
Stormont in a tea cup?
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.
7/8/2020 • 26 minutes, 13 seconds
Micheál matters?
The Good Friday Agreement is his "guiding star".
7/1/2020 • 27 minutes, 24 seconds
Independence Days
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.
6/24/2020 • 26 minutes, 53 seconds
'Cute Hoors' & Blueshirts.
The end of Civil War politics in the Republic of Ireland?
6/17/2020 • 28 minutes, 23 seconds
O'Leary, Newton, John
Mark and guests discuss Brexit, Barnier & a return of Crazy Prices.
6/10/2020 • 25 minutes, 12 seconds
Yes Ministers
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen, Sam McBride and Brendan Hughes, to rate the Stormont Ministers' performance during the coronavirus crisis.
6/3/2020 • 26 minutes, 57 seconds
Could Covid kill the Union?
Mark is joined by Lesley Riddoch, Alex Massie & Martin Kettle.
5/27/2020 • 28 minutes, 18 seconds
Top Trumps
Mark Carruthers chats to the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland With analysis from Mark Devenport.
5/20/2020 • 30 minutes, 17 seconds
Getting your steps up
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.
5/13/2020 • 35 minutes, 29 seconds
How the dealin's done
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 Editor, Katya Adler.
5/6/2020 • 29 minutes, 14 seconds
Briefing encounters
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Sergeant, Polly Toynbee and Guto Harri to talk communicating with the public during a pandemic.
4/29/2020 • 27 minutes, 35 seconds
Crisis Critique
Mark & his guests discuss how politicians are reacting to the coronavirus pandemic.
4/22/2020 • 29 minutes, 6 seconds
Frontline reporting from the back garden
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.
4/8/2020 • 27 minutes, 50 seconds
Lock-in vs Lockdown
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.
4/1/2020 • 26 minutes, 38 seconds
Asking the right questions?
Discussing the interactions between media & politicians during the coronavirus outbreak
3/25/2020 • 27 minutes, 16 seconds
RHI: Every single jot and tittle
Mark is joined by Conor Macauley, Mary Kelly & Stephen Grimason to examine the RHI report
3/18/2020 • 23 minutes, 31 seconds
Capitol Gains
Mark, Gareth, Enda & Mary chat St Patrick's Day trips to the USA.
3/11/2020 • 25 minutes, 8 seconds
Equality Street
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.
3/4/2020 • 27 minutes, 47 seconds
Trading trouble
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.
2/25/2020 • 24 minutes, 43 seconds
On SPAD-batical
Mark, Gareth & Jayne are joined by Julian Smith's former special adviser.
2/18/2020 • 22 minutes, 54 seconds
Dáilsplaining
Mark Carruthers is joined by columnist Mary Kelly, Irish News political correspondent John Manley and unionist commentator Sarah Creighton.
2/11/2020 • 23 minutes, 59 seconds
Dearg Lines
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.
2/4/2020 • 25 minutes, 45 seconds
Brexitpast
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Campbell in Belfast and the BBC's Europe Editor Gavin Lee and Shona Murray of Euronews from Brussels.
1/28/2020 • 24 minutes, 13 seconds
Calling a SPAD a SPAD
Mark Carruthers is joined by Mary Kelly, John Campbell and Mark Devenport to look at Special Advisers, revenue raising and an MLA pay rise.
1/21/2020 • 23 minutes, 46 seconds
Stormont returns (with added SOSNI)
Mark Carruthers is joined at Stormont by freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson, Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell, and Political Correspondent Stephen Walker.
1/14/2020 • 24 minutes, 43 seconds
A holding pattern in high heels
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Jayne McCormack and the Press Association's Ireland Editor, David Young.
1/9/2020 • 23 minutes, 5 seconds
Clear and presenter danger
Mark Carruthers is joined by Tara Mills, William Crawley and Enda McClafferty to look back at a remarkable General Election.
12/17/2019 • 27 minutes, 44 seconds
Paper candidates
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.
12/11/2019 • 27 minutes, 10 seconds
Alliance & Westminster: Alliance election profile
Mark Devenport, Jayne McCormack and Mary Kelly join Mark Carruthers to look at the Alliance Party's election profiles.
12/3/2019 • 23 minutes, 6 seconds
Dups and downs: DUP election profile
Mark Devenport, Stephen Walker and Mary Kelly join Mark Carruthers to look at the DUP's election prospects.
11/26/2019 • 22 minutes, 47 seconds
Shinner thoughts: Sinn Féin election profile
Mark Devenport, Enda McClafferty and Suzanne Breen join Mark Carruthers to look at Sinn Féin's election prospects.
11/19/2019 • 22 minutes, 8 seconds
Shrinking Down or Larger Party? SDLP election profile
Mark Devenport, Enda McClafferty and Freya McClements join Mark Carruthers to look at the SDLP's election prospects.
11/12/2019 • 22 minutes, 11 seconds
Politics un-pact: UUP election profile
Mark Devenport, Gareth Gordon and Sarah Creighton join Mark Carruthers to look at the UUP's election prospects.
11/5/2019 • 22 minutes, 4 seconds
Will Boris trade the Union?
Mark Carruthers is joined by regulars Mark Devenport and Enda McClafferty and BBC Scotland Editor, Sarah Smith.
10/30/2019 • 25 minutes, 51 seconds
Newton lays down the law
After a memorable - but brief - return to Stormont we discuss the day's events and other big moments on the hill.
10/21/2019 • 21 minutes, 53 seconds
When the dealin's done?
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?
10/17/2019 • 22 minutes, 8 seconds
The writers' room
Mark and three top journalists and authors on writing a bestseller, nailing the story and getting the scoop.
10/15/2019 • 23 minutes, 40 seconds
Tweets, trolls and tots
The double-edged sword of social media
10/8/2019 • 25 minutes, 1 second
No vox popery here...
Marmalade madness as Enda makes it to Belfast.
10/1/2019 • 27 minutes, 11 seconds
Joris Bohnson vs the Supreme Court
The Champions League final for constitutional lawyers
9/24/2019 • 23 minutes, 6 seconds
Finn McCool, the capybara & a tub of lard
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.