Red Lines Podcast
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.
Episodes to download
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Stormont: A bicker a day?
Wed 10 Dec 2025
What are relations like at Stormont as Executive parties plan a multi-year budget?
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The One Where Rachel Increased Tax on Lattes.
Wed 26 Nov 2025
Mark and guests digest the Chancellor's budget and the implications for Northern Ireland.
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Fintan versus Sam: The united Ireland debate.
Tue 14 Oct 2025
Mark Carruthers speaks to Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride about their new book.
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IMF fear for Keir
Wed 17 Sep 2025
Mark Carruthers and guests assess the Prime Minister's political and economic problems.
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The Lord Alderdice Interview
Wed 27 Aug 2025
The former Alliance leader speaks to Mark Carruthers about his political influences.
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The Hilary Benn Interview
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Mark Carruthers asks NI Secretary of State Hilary Benn about his political life.
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The Colum Eastwood Interview
Wed 13 Aug 2025
The former SDLP leader chats about his political influences & inspirations.
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The Sorcha Eastwood Interview
Wed 6 Aug 2025
Mark Carruthers talks to Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood about her political life.
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The Pat Cullen Interview
Wed 30 Jul 2025
The Sinn Féin MP chats about her political influences & inspirations.
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The Angela Smith Interview
Wed 23 Jul 2025
Mark Carruthers discusses her political journey with Baroness Smith of Basildon.
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The Julian Smith Interview
Wed 16 Jul 2025
Mark Carruthers speaks to former NI Secretary of State, Sir Julian Smith.
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The George Mitchell Interview
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Mark Carruthers asks Senator George Mitchell about his political life and influences.
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The Doug Beattie Interview
Wed 2 Jul 2025
Mark Carruthers speaks to former UUP Leader Doug Beattie about his political life.
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Stormont's Report Card - Who made the grade?
Wed 25 Jun 2025
Mark and guests look back at the past year in politics.
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Leo Varadkar - Unity's poster boy or unionist bogeyman?
Thu 19 Jun 2025
Mark Carruthers sits down with former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
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Casement spark?
Wed 11 Jun 2025
Has the Spending Review paved the way for the redevelopment of Casement Park?
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Jailhouse Unlocked
Wed 28 May 2025
Mark looks at the contrasting fortunes of the courthouse & jail on Belfast's Crumlin road
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It's Show time
Wed 14 May 2025
Mark Carruthers heads to the Balmoral Show, where inheritance tax is the big issue.
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The Race for the Áras
Wed 30 Apr 2025
Mark Carruthers and guests assess who might be the next Irish President.
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Trump, Tariffs and Trade deals
Wed 16 Apr 2025
Mark chats about Donald Trump's tariffs tactics and what it means for us.
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Capitol Skill
Wed 12 Mar 2025
All you need to know ahead of the St Patrick's Day events in Washington.
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The case for the Defence
Wed 26 Feb 2025
Mark Carruthers asks how global politics are influencing the Irish question.
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