In this episode of 'UTV Talking Politics',Tracey and Vicki discuss another bruising week for parties around the Executive table as the Covid-19 Inquiry published its conclusions.

Meanwhile, differing views of the conflict in the Middle East continued to be felt at Stormont.

While relationships at Stormont continue to sour, the British and Irish governments are in lockstep as they attempt to garner support for their joint framework to address the legacy of the Troubles.

UTV's Political Editor Tracey Magee and Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne discuss division and disputes during Covid, yet more fallout at the Executive table, and beating the clock to deal with legacy of the Troubles.

Listen here or watch on ITVX.

In this episode of the Extra Mile, Carol Jordan sits down with Melanie Grimsley, who has lived with a visible difference for most of her life and now sees her portrait hanging in the National Portrait Gallery — a moment that brings personal recognition and a shift in how society views beauty and resilience, as she finds herself being stared at in a very different light.  

You can watch this episode on ITVX just click https://www.itv.com/watch/news/northern-ireland-woman-subject-of-taylor-wessing-photo-portrait-prize/hdd0qch

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris tells our Political Editor Tracey Magee that the British government must remain faithful to the proposals in the new joint framework on legacy. He says there is no plan B.

We ask: is Stormont ripe for reform?
Stewart Robson reports on how any changes might work and talks to the parties about whether or not reform is needed.

To discuss all the issues raised, we'll be joined by Professors Deirdre Heenan and Peter Shirlow and by former SDLP Leader Mark Durkan and former Ulster Unionist Leader Lord Empey.

Also, no end to the safeguarding crisis in the Presbyterian Church as the police begin a criminal investigation. What needs to happen next? We'll be discussing that with former Presbyterian Church Minister David Latimer and the safeguarding expert Marcella Leonard.

Carol Jordan sits down with Daryl Clarke, Project Coordinator at Monkstown Boxing Club, to discuss how boxing changes lives.

Paul Givan describes the no confidence motion against him as a toxic mix of anti-semitism, anti-unionism and hypocrisy. Sinn Fein said  the Education Minister had no compassion or regret for the people of Gaza. Tonight we examine what it all means for relations between the parties here.  I'm joined by senior Stormont politicians.

Catherine Connolly will be sworn in as the tenth Irish President on Tuesday, but no-one from the DUP will be there.  We preview what the new President's term might bring with Kevin Doyle from the Irish Independent. 

Our commentatrs are Allison Morris and Professor Jon Tonge.

In this episode of UTV's fortnightly politics podcast 'UTV Talking Politics', UTV's Political Editor Tracey Magee and Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne discuss nosediving relationships at Stormont following Paul Givan's trip to Israel, and the upcoming Irish Presidential inauguration.

In our podcast series going the extra mile, which highlights the many good people in our society championing good causes, Carol Jordan sits down with Matthew Taylor to discuss the state of mental health provision in Northern Ireland. 

You can watch it on ITVX

And if you are feeling you may need help or support with any of the issues raised in this podcast, you can find help on our website. 

As the Education Minister is criticised by parties and unions following a six day visit to Israel, we examine the fall-out.  We're joined by Paul Givan, and by representatives from other parties at Stormont.

A new task force is being set up to tackle a recent spate of anti-social behaviour in Belfast City Centre. Will it be enough, or will people be discouraged from going into the centre as we head into the Christmas season?

Our commentators are Dr. Clare Rice and Suzanne Breen.

Would you pledge to carry out 18,627 acts of kindness over 51 years? Niall Donnan from Newcastle has pledged to do just that. To find out what has motivated him to make such a huge commitment join Carol Jordan on our new podcast Going the Extra Mile. 

As the Executive confirms the first Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners, we examine what it all means for language strategies. Daniel Duffy reports and we hear from the SDLP's Carl Whyte and the DUP's Phillip Brett.

The state of Stormont's finances is once again in the spotlight with the Finance Minister saying hundreds more millions of pounds are needed.  We talk to Ann Watt from the political think tank Pivotal and economist Paul Mac Flynn.

A landslide victory for Independent Catherine Connolly, the next President of Ireland. Our political editor Tracey Magee and and the Irish Independent's Mary Regan recap the twists and turns of the race and the implications for Dublin's government parties.

Our commentators are the News Letter Editor Ben Lowry, and Irish News Political Correspondent John Manley.

Celebrate those who help others with UTV's new podcast 'Going the Extra Mile.' Join Carol Jordan and be inspired as she talks to those who put others first.

In this episode: What would you do if you won over £100m in the lottery?

On this week's Going the Extra Mile podcast, Carol Jordan sits down with Frances Connolly who is using her lottery winnings to help others help themselves.

Within the first few hours of her win, Frances knew she would be using her money for charitable purposes, and tens of millions of pounds later, she says she is focused on her money making an impact on those who need it most. 

You can watch this episode with lottery winner Frances Connolly on ITVX.

As the two Irish Presidential candidates go head to head in their final televison debate on RTE , we ask who's likely to win? 

We're joined live in studio by a panel of experts and from Dublin by the Irish Independent's Kevin Doyle.

Ahead of the election, our Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthornre has been to the Irish Capital to take the political temperature.

And, as nurses wait to hear if the extra one hundred million pounds needed for their pay claim can be found, we examine how well our health service is prepared for winter.

Listen as six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea speaks to UTV's Ruth Gorman after he was deemed medically unfit to race in his last Superbike race of career. 
You can also watch on ITVX: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/racing-legend-jonathan-rea-deemed-medically-unfit-to-race-in-last-superbike-race-of-career/cvddht9

Michael Mansfield KC, who is the chair of an independent panel set up to look into the circumstances of the Falls Curfew during the Troubles, speaks to UTV.

Celebrate those who help others with UTV's new podcast 'Going the Extra Mile.' Join Carol Jordan and be inspired as she talks to those who put others first.

In this episode Carol chats with Eileen Brown who manages the Dungannon Hygiene Bank, part of a network of Hygiene Banks across Northern Ireland which were set up to help with tackle the issue of hygeine poverty.

Eileen started volunteering in 2023. Since then she spends several days a week sourcing, storing and distributing hygeine products for schools, neo-natal units, foodbanks and community groups. 
You can also watch this episode on ITVX.

Hilary Benn tells the House of Commons he hopes the new legacy framework will allow people here to look to a future freer of the burden of the past. You'll hear from The Secretary of State. And staying with that issue, we examine the division between the Policing Board and Hilary Benn over who should fund legacy issues for the PSNI.

We also hear from Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally. He says the Pat Finucane public enquiry would cost the police service 20 million pounds.

To discuss the latest developments we'll be joined by Claire Hanna, Sorcha Eastwood, John Finucane, Gregory Campbell and Robin Swann. 

The Ulster Unionists held their annual conference at the weekend. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee has that report and you will hear from party leader Mike Nesbitt.

A Northern Ireland judge has told UTV, violence against women and young girls here is chronic and admitted that the amount of violent domestic abuse crimes he deals with in court is depressing.  

First Minister Michelle O'Neill called for tougher sentences for those convicted of violence against women.  Judge Stephen Keown is confident that new laws protecting victims and changes in how domestic abuse cases are handled are making a difference.

Sara O'Kane reports.

You can also watch this epicode on ITVX.

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In the third episode of UTV's new fortnightly politics podcast 'UTV Talking Politics', UTV's Political Editor Tracey Magee and Political Correspondent Vicki Hawthorne discuss party conference season, confusing presidential elections and consensus in the face of attack.

Watch on ITVX or listen here.

Celebrate those who help others with UTV's new podcast 'Going the Extra Mile.' Join Carol Jordan and be inspired as she talks to those who put others first.

As Jim Gavin exits the race to be President over claims of unpaid rent, we ask what it all means for The Taoiseach and Fianna Fail and how it will affect the race

Claire Hanna tells her party conference that it's time for the Irish Government to create a ministry for Irish unity. Our Political Editor Tracey Magee reports  and I'll be joined in studio by the party leader.

As the Conservative conference gets into full swing, we hear from the Shadow Secretary of State, Alex Burghart.

Our commentators are the former DUP special advisor David Graham, and Chris Donnelly.