Overview
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.
245 Episodes
Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, David McCann and Jayne McCormick to look ahead to the Assembly election next year.
Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2026
What impact might three nationalist first ministers have on UK politics? Mark Carruthers talks to Tom Kelly, Prof Jon Tonge and Prof Ailsa Henderson.
Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2026
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen and Tim Cairns to reflect on the resignation of DUP Leader Arlene Foster five years ago and the party chaos it caused.
Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2026
Mark Carruthers is joined by British writers Iain Dale and James Hawe to discuss their views and appreciation for Ireland.
Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2026
Mark Carruthers is joined by Paul Johnston, former British Ambassador to Ireland; Mark Hennessey, The Irish Times; and Brigid Laffan from the European University Institute.
Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2026
Mark Carruthers reflects on an eventful St Patrick's Day in Washington with Enda McClafferty, Caitriona Perry, Louise Burne and Liam Kennedy.
Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2026
Former UUP deputy leader John Taylor says Irish unification is inevitable. Mark Carruthers discusses his comments with Alex Kane, Linzi McLaren & Wallace Thompson
Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2026
Mark Carruthers discusses Stormont's financial challenges and the £400 million advance with John Campbell, Jodie Carson and Andrew Webb.
Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2026
Mark Carruthers asks Paul Colgan, Shane Greer and Mark Devenport who they think will travel to Washington this year and just how important the St Patrick's Day access really is.
Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2026
Mark Carruthers asks the former First Minister of Scotland about how devolution works best, the independence debate and culture wars.
Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2026
Will Nigel Farage's Reform UK contest elections in Northern Ireland? Mark Carruthers chats to Suzanne Breen, Ben Lowry, David McCann & Anna Gross
Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2026
Mark Carruthers weighs up the options for the UUP leadership with Gareth Gordon, David McCann, John McCallister and Linzi McLaren.
Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2026
Mark is joined by Gareth Gordon, Suzanne Breen, Tim Cairns & Tim McGarry to look back on the political events of 2025.
Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2025
Mark chats to Jayne McCormack, David Sterling & Jodie Carson about Stormont's plan for a multi-year budget. What are relations like in the Executive and within the parties?
Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2025
Mark and guests digest the Chancellor's budget and the implications for Northern Ireland. With Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Prof Jodie Carson, Caroline Keenan & Andrew Webb.
Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025
Mark Carruthers asks Dr Sean Haughey, Professor Duncan Morrow, Chris Donnelly and Tim Cairns if Stormont must reform to survive.
Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025
Mark Carruthers discusses the state of the Alliance Party with David Ford, Jayne McCormack, David McCann and Jon Tonge.
Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2025
Mark Carruthers speaks to Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride about their new book debating for and against a united Ireland.
Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2025
Mark Carruthers assesses the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool with Nick Watt, Jon Tonge, Tina McKenzie, Tom Kelly and Enda McClafferty.
Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2025
Mark Carruthers discusses the Prime Minister's woes and asks if the IMF could be called in with Enda McClafferty, Andrew Webb, Anna Gross and John Rentoul.
Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2025
The former Alliance leader speaks to Mark Carruthers about his political influences.
Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2025
Mark Carruthers asks NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn about his political life.
Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2025
The former SDLP leader chats to Mark Carruthers about his political influences & inspirations.
Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2025
Mark Carruthers talks to Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood about her political life.
Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2025
The Sinn Féin MP chats about growing up during the Troubles, leading a nurses strike, and entering politics.
Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2025
Mark Carruthers discusses her political journey with Baroness Smith of Basildon.
Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2025
Mark Carruthers speaks to former NI Secretary of State, Sir Julian Smith, about his political life and influences.
Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2025
Mark Carruthers sits down with Senator George Mitchell at Queen's University to discuss his career and crucial role in helping bring peace to Northern Ireland.
Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2025
Mark Carruthers speaks to former UUP Leader Doug Beattie about his political life.
Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2025
Mark chats to Suzanne Breen, Deirdre Heenan, David McCann & Tim Cairns about the past 12 months in local politics.
Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2025
Mark Carruthers discusses Irish unity with Leo Varadkar and how the former Taoiseach hopes to plan, persuade and pay for it.
Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2025
Mark Carruthers discusses the government's Spending Review and Casement Park with John Campbell, Andrew Webb, Jodie Carson and Stephen McGeehan from the GAA.
Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2025
Mark Carruthers visits the courthouse & jail on Belfast's Crumlin road. He talks about their contrasting fortunes with Michael Liggett, John Kelly, Johann Muldoon & Rita Harkin
Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2025
Marks Carruthers speaks to the Agriculture and Environment Minister, the First and deputy First Ministers and other political figures at the Balmoral Show.
Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2025
Mark Carruthers is joined by Diarmaid Ferriter, Mary Regan and Gavan Reilly to reflect on the outgoing Irish President and who might succeed him.
Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2025
Mark chats about Donald Trump's tariffs tactics and what it means for us. With Jodie Carson, Martina Lawless and Will Haworth
Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025
Mark Carruthers assesses the implications of the Spring Statement with John Campbell, Caroline Keenan, Andrew Webb and Enda McClafferty.
Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025
All you need to know ahead of the St Patrick's Day events in Washington. Mark chats to Caitríona Perry, Enda McClafferty & Shane Greer.
Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025
Mark Carruthers is joined by Sam McBride, Mark Hennessy, Mary Kenny and Colum Eastwood to assess how global politics are influencing the Irish question.
Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2025
St Patrick's Day in Washington -under Trump 2.0
Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025
Mark Carruthers talks Trump, trade and tariffs with David McWilliams, Paul Colgan, Allie Renison and John Campbell.
Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2025
Mark Carruthers and MLAs from Stormont's five largest parties assess the performance of the Executive so far and look ahead to 2025.
Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2025
Mark Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Breen, Newton Emerson, Deirdre Heenan, Tim McGarry and Gareth Gordon to look back on 2024.
Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2024
Mark Carruthers is joined by Lucinda Creighton, Gary Murphy, Elaine Loughlin and Gráinne Ní Aodha in Dublin to preview the Republic's election later this month.
Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2024
Mark Carruthers is joined by John Campbell, economists Richard Ramsey and Andrew Webb, tax expert Caroline Keenan and Tina McKenzie from the FSB to discuss the Budget.
Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2024
Mark Carruthers is joined by Gareth Gordon, John Campbell, Mark Devenport and David McCann to look back on an eventful five years and 200 episodes of Red Lines.
Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2024
Mark Carruthers is joined by Phillip Brett, Connie Egan, Steve Aiken, Matthew O'Toole, Claire Sugden and Mark Devenport to discuss Stormont's new Programme for Government.
Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2024
Mark Carruthers chats to Denis Bradley about his political influences & inspirations.
Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2024
Mark Carruthers chats to Sinn Féin's Máirtín Ó Muilleoir about his political influences & inspirations.
Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2024
Mark Carruthers chats to Edwin Poots about his political influences & inspirations. This conversation was recorded before the recent trouble in south Belfast.
Transcribed - Published: 16 August 2024
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