The BelTel

It seems that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has won the battle - the DUP leader is taking the party back to Stormont after securing a new deal with the government. Is it a good deal? has Sir Jeffrey achieved his goals? and where does anti-agreement unionism go from here? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Liam Tunney and commentator Owen Polley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has convinced the majority of the DUP that it’s time to restore power sharing. Following a bizarre evening of social media leaks, protests and secret meetings, the party leader made the announcement in the early hours of the morning. Is Sir Jeffrey’s leadership in a stronger position than before, how are Loyalist voters feeling, and who is Jamie Bryson’s ‘mole’? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter Allison Morris and political commentator and lecturer Jon Tonge.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West Belfast group Kneecap regularly court controversy – but is that just part of their act? Singing mostly in Irish about drugs, the DUP and social exclusion the band have made a film about themselves starring Michael Fassbender. It has attracted rave reviews, but some victims of republican violence perceive the band to be glorifying republicanism. But what’s the band really about? Niamh Campbell is joined by Liam Tunney and Dave Hanratty while Olivia Peden spoke to ex-PSNI officer Jon Burrows. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Immigration has become a big talking point in the Republic of Ireland in a very short space of time - and it's likely to become a key electoral issue. The main opposition party, Sinn Féin, is widely tipped to win forthcoming elections. So where does Mary Lou McDonald and her party stand on the issue of the moment, and could they make a move to the right if that's what voters want? Host; Tabitha Monahan, Guests; Gabija Gataveckaite & John Downing  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a passionate speech earlier this week Jeffrey Donaldson said threats wouldn’t stop him from engaging with the UK government. Is the DUP leader ready to face down his opponents or will he continue to condemn the Windsor Framework and to boycott Stormont? Will his party agree with him or is it set to split? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph Journalist Andrew Madden, along with commentators Sarah Creighton and Owen Polley.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Against a backdrop of a rising far right and war across the globe, Europe goes to the polls in June. Why is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seen as the ‘black sheep’ of the EU? How will Trump’s likely return to the White House affect the Union? And as war in Gaza rages on, will the EU stand with Israel no matter what? Shona Murray, Euronews Europe correspondent, joins Ciarán Dunbar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The body of Portadown woman Margaret Perry was found a year after she went missing, the bodies of three men the IRA itself accused of her murder were found three days later. The IRA also accused them, all members or former members, of being British agents. Why was Margaret murdered? Who were her murderers and did one British agent kill three others?  Allison Morris joins Ciarán Dunbar  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born in England into immense wealth and luxury, Rose Dugdale turned her back on riches to become a bombmaker, a thief and a terrorist. But why did she abandon her life of privilege for the IRA?Host: Fionnán Sheahan, Guest: Liam Collins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prof Jussi Hanhimäki argues the international body is still important, despite the challenges it faces.  But what exactly is the UN? What is its role today?  And with the body impotent in the face of wars from the Congo to Gaza – has the time come for major reform?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Kitson responsible for enflaming the Troubles or did his own books leave him a convenient scapegoat?  Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Edward Burke, a military historian in University College Dublin, and by Fearghal Mac Bhloscaidh, a senior lecturer in History in St Mary’s University college in Belfast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.