#BBCNolan callers share their harrowing stories of physical abuse at the hands of teachers
27m Mar 22, 2018
27m
The Pope is going to Dublin but he's not coming to Northern Ireland. Do you feel snubbed? #BBCNolan
So it seems that Pope Francis won't visit Northern Ireland this year. There'd been much speculation he might cross the border when he comes for the World Meeting of Families in August, but it has been confirmed by the Director of the Holy See Press Office that he will not travel north. It's the first Papal visit to Ireland since John Paul the second's visit in 1979. Are you disappointed that ...
27m Mar 22, 2018
27m
With rates of opioid addiction rising - Are doctors hooked on prescribing painkillers? #BBCNolan
On yesterdays programme we heard about the sometimes devastating impact prescription pain killers are having on peoples lives. Tramadol is just one. It can provide vital pain relive to sufferers - but it can also be very addictive.
9m Mar 21, 2018
9m
Hooded, beaten and deprived of sleep - if this isn't torture what is?
"Forced to listen to constant loud static noise; deprived of sleep, food and water; forced to stand in a stress position and beaten if they fell. Told they were hundreds of feet in the air, despite being near the ground, and thrown out of helicopters." That's what happened to the so called hooded men. But would you describe it as torture? Well the European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterda...
20m Mar 21, 2018
20m
On the countdown to #Brexit chaos? Just why is the Civil Service seemingly so ill-prepared? #BBCNolan
The Head of the Civil service has revealed that the civil service here is struggling to prepare Northern Ireland for life after leaving the European Union. David Sterling says the Whitehall department in Britain, DEFRA, has 1200 people working on policy in areas of agriculture, rural development and environment. But that "here we're barely able to muster 30 people to do similar work". He said...
9m Mar 21, 2018
9m
Is there a stand off between the Sec of State and the head of the Civil Service over abuse victims?
It's only a matter of days since the Secretary of State announced a budget for here. She'd no problems in taking over what is very clearly a devolved matter. So why, and this is a big question, why can't she announce a payment of compensation to survivors of Historical Institutional abuse?
20m Mar 21, 2018
20m
Martina Navratilova hits out at BBC over perceived gender pay gap for Tennis commentary #BBCNolan
Martina Navratilova has told BBC Panorama that John McEnroe was paid at least "10 times more" than she was for their commentating roles at the Wimbledon tennis tournament. The former Wimbledon champion said she was shocked when the BBC revealed how much its stars earned. John McEnroe was named on the list, appearing in the £150,000 - £199,999 bracket.
9m Mar 20, 2018
9m
Parents criticise plans to merge seven special schools in Belfast #BBCNolan
The Education Authority is proposing to close and merge seven of ten special schools in Belfast. The plans would result in three new larger special "super schools" in the city by September 2020. However, the move would only go ahead depending on a consultation process.
16m Mar 20, 2018
16m
Should plumbers be trained to spot child abuse while on a job? #BBCNolan
Plumbers, tradesmen and builders across Northern Ireland are being urged to sign up to new NSPCC training  to help them spot children at risk of abuse and neglect - when they're working in peoples homes. Child abuse is horrendous. We all agree on that. So should we do anything and everything we can to tackle it - like this NSPCC training? Or given the super sensitive issue - is this taking re...
8m Mar 20, 2018
8m
Decisive day for #Brexit talks – but still no agreement over the Irish border #BBCNolan
A major move in Brexit negotiations yesterday but the Northern Ireland border issue is still unresolved. The UK and EU say they've made decisive progress on a deal that will lead to the UK leaving the European union. It includes a two year transition period during which time the UK will largely abide by EU rules. That will give businesses and government departments more time to prepare for th...
28m Mar 20, 2018
28m
Unionist outrage as New York mayor proclaims #StPatricksDay as Gerry Adams Day #BBCNolan
The New York mayor Bill de Blasio has infuriated unionists by proclaiming this year's St Patrick's Day as Gerry Adams Day. He made a proclamation honouring the former Sinn Fein leader at a special event ahead of the Fifth Avenue parade. It read: "I, Bill de Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim March 17 2018 in the city of New York as 'Gerry Adams Day'." Many said it was a...
6m Mar 19, 2018
6m
Ireland are #SixNations Grand Slam winners! @StephenNolan hears from some of the ex-teachers behind some of Ireland’s heroes #BBCNolan
On Saturday our rugby players completed a Six Nations Grand Slam with a 24 -15 victory over England at Twickenham - only the 3rd time in history Ireland have done it.
8m Mar 19, 2018
8m
Six horses dead at #CheltenhamFestival Races last week - is it time for radical change? @RealMcCririck and Daniel Barkley of @NISNTAC debate #BBCNolan
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will carry out a review after six horses died at the four-day Cheltenham Festival. Four horses had to be put down on Friday's final day of racing. Sandsend, ridden by Katie Walsh, was put down after suffering a leg injury during the County Hurdle. Three more horses - Dresden, Some Plan and North Hill Harvey - suffered fatal injuries in the concluding Gra...
30m Mar 19, 2018
30m
Students at Queen's University demand a refund of fees for missed classes due to strike #UCUStrike #BBCNolan
Students at Queen's University are demanding a refund of fees for classes they've missed as a result of the recent strike by lecturers. More than 60 universities across the UK have been affected by more than three weeks of industrial action taken by the University and College Union over pensions. Around 100,000 students have signed petitions calling on their colleges to compensate them.
11m Mar 16, 2018
11m
‘It’s stomach turning’ - Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International on details of Paedophile Priest allegations
6m Mar 16, 2018
6m
‘It’s devastating’ - Mother of five-year-old who tragically drowned shares her story #BBCNolan
You might have heard the tragic story of five-year-old Kayden Fleck who fell into the River Braid last month and died. Kayden and his twin brother told their mum they were going into the back yard to play before disappearing. Their parents now want the council - to step in and increase safety around the river - to try to prevent other families from suffering the same loss they have.
17m Mar 15, 2018
17m
.@SJAMcBride and @AllisonMorris1 react to revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded #BBCNolan
The Information commissioner is seeking an urgent meeting with the Head of the Civil Service, David Sterling, over claims he made that meetings with Ministers weren't always minuted to thwart Freedom of Information requests. The startling revelation came on Tuesday when David Sterling was giving evidence to the RHI inquiry
13m Mar 15, 2018
13m
A controversial so called 'gay conversion movie' was given its all-Ireland premiere on Tuesday night - in the Ballynahinch Baptist Church. Stephen talks to the Producer.
Group 'Core Issues Trust', which claims it is "challenging gender confusion", was refused permission to screen the 'Voices of The Silenced' movie - at the Vue Cinema in London's Piccadilly, and more recently at our own Queens Film Theatre. Around 100 people supporting rights for the LGBT community protested at the church.
19m Mar 15, 2018
19m
‘At no point did we ever tell a civil servant to not minute a meeting.’ – Mairtin O'Muilleoir denies Sinn Fein ever instructed a civil servant not to take minutes of meetings #BBCNolan
The Information commissioner is seeking an urgent meeting with the Head of the Civil Service, David Sterling, over claims he made that meetings with Ministers weren't always minuted to thwart Freedom of Information requests. The startling revelation came on Tuesday when David Sterling was giving evidence to the RHI inquiry Mr. Sterling told the RHI Inquiry that civil servants got into the hab...
9m Mar 15, 2018
9m
RHI Inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded - @malodoherty, @NewtonEmerson, @JoshuaRozenberg and @DKennedy_UUP
RHI Inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded - @malodoherty, @NewtonEmerson, @JoshuaRozenberg and @DKennedy_UUP
15m Mar 14, 2018
15m
"It would make people wonder if they're in Northern Ireland or North Korea" - @MarkHDurkan on RHI Inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded
"It would make people wonder if they're in Northern Ireland or North Korea" - SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan on RHI Inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded
2m Mar 14, 2018
2m
"Decisions must be recorded" - @DavidFordMLA on RHI Inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded
"Decisions must be recorded" - Alliance MLA David Ford on RHI Inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded
4m Mar 14, 2018
4m
"It shows what a deep crisis we are actually in" - @SteveAikenUUP on RHI inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded
"It shows what a deep crisis we are actually in" - UUP MLA Steve Aiken on RHI inquiry revelation that some meetings between civil servants and ministers were not recorded
8m Mar 14, 2018
8m
Political bombshell - RHI Inquiry hears that minutes were not taken in some meetings between politicians and civil servants in case public found out through FOI requests - @SJAMcBride and @JimAllister react
Startling evidence from the current head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service yesterday as he became the most high profile witness to appear at the RHI inquiry. David Sterling revealed that meetings with government ministers sometimes weren't minuted to stop freedom of information requests. Why is that important? Well it goes against the civil service's own advice which states that all meeting...
26m Mar 14, 2018
26m
"You eat, dream, sleep to have a bet" - @vinnybelfast talks to ex-gambler Vinty about problem gambling
More now on problem gambling - a story we discussed on the programme last week. The government is considering changing the rules on fixed odds betting machines by cutting the maximum stake from £100 to as little as £2. Many of you contacted us about this story, including former bookie Vincent McCaffrey and ex-gambler Vinty.
8m Mar 13, 2018
8m
Should awareness around safe "sexting" be taught in our schools? Commentator Lynette Burrows and @JimGamble_INEQE discuss
Sexting - sending intimate pictures of yourself - to someone else. Maybe you do it? But do you know how to keep yourself 'safe'? And more importantly - should awareness around safe sexting be taught in our schools? Vinny got the views of commentator Lynette Burrows and Jim Gamble, former head of the Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre.
9m Mar 13, 2018
9m
Caller George blasts local council over recycling centre vehicle policy
George contacted us - he tried to visit your local recycling centre but was turned away. He tells us what happened.
11m Mar 13, 2018
11m
Secretary of State Karen Bradley accused of 'dithering' over cutting MLA pay - @AllisonMorris1 and @AlexKane221b discuss
Dithering, fudging, waffling and political drift. Just some of the criticisms levelled at the Secretary of State Karen Bradley yesterday after she delayed a decision to cut MLA pay. Commentators Allison Morris and Alex Kane discuss.
8m Mar 13, 2018
8m
Decision to cut MLA pay delayed by Secretary of State saying she wanted to consult parties first - @MarkHDurkan, @naomi_long and @BeattieDoug react
Dithering, fudging, waffling and political drift. Just some of the criticisms levelled at the Secretary of State Karen Bradley yesterday after she delayed a decision to cut MLA pay. The North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon didn't mince her words in the Commons when Mrs Bradley told MPs she was "minded" to slash Assembly members' wages by 27.5% - but wanted to consult the parties first. Vinny got th...
18m Mar 13, 2018
18m
"Happy You Day" - supermarket Waitrose criticised for dropping the word ‘mother’ in some of its Mother's Day cards - @LukeSGittos1986 and @johndoc240 discuss
Yesterday was Mother's Day - but what about 'Happy YOU Day'? The supermarket Waitrose has been criticised for dropping the word 'mother' in some of its Mother's Day cards - this in a bid to be more "transgender inclusive". Stephen got the views of Spiked online legal editor, Luke Gittos and John O'Doherty from the Rainbow Project.
6m Mar 12, 2018
6m
SDLP MLA @NicholaMallon hits out at Sinn Fein over a "relaxed attitude to a British budget on Irish soil".
The SDLP have hit out at Sinn Fein over their reaction to the Northern Ireland budget set by Westminster. Stephen talks to SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon.
3m Mar 12, 2018
3m
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher apologises over spitting incident - @PatNevin and Belfast Telegraph's Jim Gracey react
Jamie Carragher has apologised after a video showed the former England and Liverpool defender spitting towards a girl in a car from his own vehicle. The 40-year-old, now a television pundit for Sky Sports, had been covering his former side's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday. The video, obtained by the Mirror, shows Carragher react by spitting at a car after being "goaded" as he descr...
9m Mar 12, 2018
9m
Should MLAs have their pay cut? Is it about to happen? @NicholaMallon, @brendanbelfast and Alan McQuillan who sat on panel reviewing MLA pay discuss
Are MLAs about to get their pay cut? This week Secretary of State Karen bradley is expected to announce if she'll accept an independent report which recommended a reduction in MLA salaries. DUP's Sammy Wilson wants payments made to Sinn Fein MPs to be reduced if MLA pay is cut. Stephen got the views of former assistant chief constable Alan McQuillan, SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon and commen...
15m Mar 12, 2018
15m
Trade union rep and taxi drivers clash over moves to allow private hire taxis into bus lanes
A trade union has claimed a move to allow Belfast's private hire taxis to use bus lanes will compromise public transport. Last week the Department of Infrastructure announced that the taxis will be permitted to use the Belfast Rapid Transit bus lanes in east and west Belfast and the 12-hour city centre lanes for the next year. Davy Thompson from Unite, which represents some bus drivers, told th...
26m Mar 12, 2018
26m
RHI inquiry - @SJAMcBride gives us the latest from the investigation into what was labelled NI's worst ever financial scandal
The RHI inquiry enters its 44th day next week. The investigation into what was labelled Northern Ireland's worst ever financial scandal is expected to hear from key witnesses like Arlene Foster in April. So far the inquiry has heard from civil servants and others to try and find out what led to a potential overspend of £700 million. Sam McBride has been covering the inquiry for the Newsletter a...
4m Mar 09, 2018
4m
Some of BBC TV’s most loved shows could be about to face the axe - leave the schedule alone, or is it an overdue refresh?
Some of the BBC's long standing and most loved programmes could be about to face the axe. It has been suggested favourites such as Bargain Hunt, Gardeners' World, Sky at Night, Points of View, Cash in the Attic and Homes Under the Hammer could be under threat. The National Audit Office found that an internal BBC review "recommended retiring more shows" which would "free up slots for new ideas"....
10m Mar 09, 2018
10m
"There is no budget line for compensation for victims of historical institutional abuse - and that is an obscenity" - @mikenesbittni NI budget reaction
"There is no budget line for compensation for victims of historical institutional abuse - and that is an obscenity" - UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt NI budget reaction
6m Mar 09, 2018
6m
Court says Arlene Foster's decision to block funding for legacy inquests was unlawful and flawed - victims' campaigners react
A judge has ruled that Arlene Foster's decision to block the Executive from discussing funding for legacy inquests was unlawful and flawed. In the High Court yesterday, Sir Paul Girvan said the former First Minister was wrong to think she could postpone the decision until after a political agreement on dealing with the past. The legal challenge was brought by Brigid Hughes, whose husband Anthon...
8m Mar 09, 2018
8m
"This is a serious moment in terms of sleepwalking into direct rule" - SDLP MLA @ClaireHanna reacts to the NI budget announced from London
We told you so! That's the message from the DUP today as over £400 million from its confidence and supply arrangement with the Tory government is released. The money was announced as part of yesterday's long awaited Stormont budget was announce yesterday. The Secretary of State, Karen Bradley, said the money includes £80 million for health and education pressures. There will also be £30 million...
7m Mar 09, 2018
7m
"No one should be proud of this budget" - SF MLA @newbelfast on NI budget announced from London, which includes money negotiated by DUP in deal with Tories
"No one should be proud of this budget" - Sinn Fein  MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir on NI budget announced from London, which includes money negotiated by DUP in deal with Tories
8m Mar 09, 2018
8m
Biggest book club in the country back with @campbellclaret's "Saturday Bloody Saturday"
The biggest book club in the country is back with our March book. We do this in conjunction with Libraries NI, and you can of course pick up a copy of this months book - or indeed any of those we've featured - in your local library. This month it is 'Saturday Bloody Saturday' written by Tony Blair's former director of communications Alastair Campbell and former footballer Paul Fletcher. Vinny h...
6m Mar 08, 2018
6m
Concerns from residents in Belfast's Holyland ahead of St Patrick's Day as council moves to limit street drinking scuppered by Stormont collapse
A plan to give Belfast City Council staff powers to both confiscate alcohol and issue fines to those drinking in public places has failed due to the collapse of Stormont. Powers that may have helped with the management big events - like St Patrick's Day celebrations. This story has been reported by the Belfast Telegraph. UUP councillor and former mayor - Jim Rodgers joined Stephen, he is on the...
18m Mar 08, 2018
18m
Show us the money - the missing years in the political donations row - @DavidFordMLA, @AllisonMorris1 and @Kevin_Maguire discuss
Donations to political parties in Northern Ireland will soon be made public. Yesterday MPs voted to approve a statutory order providing greater transparency on party funding. But not everyone is happy. The government set July last year as the date after which all donations and loans of more than £7,500 should be made public. The opposition parties argued it should have been backdated to 2014. I...
19m Mar 08, 2018
19m
Dog owners hit out over plans to ban pooches from certain council areas and enforce a mandatory dog-lead rule - @vinnybelfast spoke to protest organiser Fionula O'Gorman
There was a protest held on Sunday over a proposal from Lisburn and Castlereagh Council to ban dogs from certain council areas and to enforce a mandatory dog-lead-rule for other open spaces. Dog lover Fionula O'Gorman organised the protest and joined Vinny this morning.
6m Mar 07, 2018
6m
Make misogyny a hate crime - that's the call from one Labour MP, and it's up for debate in Westminster today. A good idea? @EJWoolf and @MartinDaubney clash
Make misogyny a hate crime - that's the call from one Labour MP, and it is up for debate in Westminster Hall today. Shadow Housing Minister Melanie Onn says women should be able to report wolf-whistling, catcalling and unwanted attention on public transport to the police as hate crimes. Vinny got the views of commentators Emma Woolf and Martin Daubney.
19m Mar 07, 2018
19m
NI boss Michael O'Neill accuses Football Association of Ireland of targeting Catholic players to switch allegiance to the Republic - @brendanbelfast and @StevenBeacom5 discuss
"The FAI only ever approach one type of player: Catholic." Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has hit out at the Football Association of Ireland saying it only targets Catholic players to switch allegiance to the Republic. Players born in Northern Ireland, of course, are eligible to represent the Republic and O'Neill is peeved at losing potential future senior internationals. Vinny spoke to ...
15m Mar 07, 2018
15m
Leader of @uuponline, @GreenPartyNI and @TUVonline say it is time to cut MLA pay - do you agree?
Is it time for MLA pay to be cut? Despite there being no working Government for more than a year MLAs here are still on a full salary. Steven Agnew leader of the Green Party, Robin Swann leader of the UUP and TUV Leader Jim Allister have told the Northern Ireland Affairs committee at Westminster that it is now time to reduce pay. In December last year the then Secretary of State James Brokenshi...
31m Mar 07, 2018
31m
Another row over Irish language erupts at Belfast City Council meeting as UUP Cllr says people "using the language just as another opportunity to poke the Prods in the eye"
Those were the words of an Ulster Unionist councillor during a debate on the Irish language at Belfast City Council last night. Chris McGimpsey was speaking against a People Before Profit motion which supported the introduction of an Irish Language Act. The motion was carried by 34 votes to 22, with the backing of Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Alliance. The Ulster Unionists, DUP and PUP voted against...
9m Mar 06, 2018
9m
Breaking: @ianpaisleymp tells Nolan Show there has been a terrorist attack on a police officer this morning. He says a explosive device was placed under a female police officers car
Breaking: Ian Paisley tells Nolan Show there has been a terrorist attack on a police officer this morning. He says a explosive device was placed under a female police officers car
4m Mar 06, 2018
4m
'Draft agreement' fallout - did Sinn Fein fail to deliver on promises made around same-sex marriage? @AlexKane221b and @malodoherty discuss
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill will visit an LGBT event on Wednesday night, just days after revealing to the gay community that she had been prepared to break her promise around same sex marriage. Sinn Fein had promised they would not go back into the assembly without gay marriage being legalised in NI. Commentators Alex Kane and Malachi O'Doherty discuss.
13m Mar 06, 2018
13m