Lord Kilclooney embroiled in another race row after describing Leo Vadrakar as a "typical Indian" - BBC NI political correspondent @endamcclafferty explains
"Typical Indian" - a two word tweet by the former senior Ulster Unionist, Lord Kilclooney, which has sparked outrage this morning. The cross bench peer was referring to the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, who the DUP accused of 'poor manners' over his visit to Northern Ireland yesterday. Lord Kilclooney has been accused of racism - he rejects that and says he won't withdraw the tweet. Our political co...
10m May 01, 2018
10m
"If there was a definition of trying to extort the public surely this is it. The Chief Constable asked a few weeks ago “Why haven't they gone away?”". SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly on Dee Stitt's 5 point plan to disband the UDA
Charter NI Chief executive Dee Stitt has given an interview to the Newsletter over the weekend outlining proposals for a 5 point plan to help the UDA disband in East Belfast and North Down. Proposals for the three year plan has been submitted to The Executive Office and it would involve a budget for CharterNI. Dee Stitt told the Newsletter that it was "key" that there would be "transparency" ...
20m Apr 30, 2018
20m
"Personally I'd be really upset, I won't be told what to buy. If they try to steer me away from bad or unhealthy foods why are they selling them there in the first place? Size acceptance campaigner Kathryn Szordecki on "health food police" in supermarkets
A supermarket is training up shop assistants to become "health food police" who will patrol aisles and steer shoppers away from junk food. The move will be rolled out at dozens of Waitrose stores across the UK this year, and is designed to encourage shoppers to load their trolleys with healthy options. So is it something that you would like to see at your local supermarket or is this going too...
11m Apr 30, 2018
11m
"Amber Rudd had time to get her act together so yes she had to go, Arlene Foster has done something similar... but there is one major difference, the London media isn't particularly interested." Malachi O'Doherty comparing politics in NI to Westminster
So, the Home Secretary has gone . Amber Rudd was forced to resign last night after having to take responsibility for not being across her brief. Some people argue that is the brutal nature of politics - that the buck stops with the minister. This is a perfect opportunity to compare and contrast politics in Northern Ireland to Westminster. Because of course Arlene Foster was also a minister ...
22m Apr 30, 2018
22m
"The race starts at 9am at City Hall and the earliest transport from Newry departs at 8am. So the race is already away and you can't get into Belfast." Runner Francie on the lack of bus and train services on the morning of the Belfast Marathon
It's expected that about 17 thousand very fit people will be descending on Belfast next monday to run the annual Belfast Marathon. It starts at 9am from Belfast City Hall. I'll tell you something, I won't be there! Someone who is hoping to be there is Francie from Newry who is running the marathon along with his brothers and sisters, but things haven't been that straight forward.
6m Apr 27, 2018
6m
"I can't see there being a deal any time before Christmas... The DUP have to bear responsibility for walking away from those talks." Journalist Allison Morris on the future of Stormont devolution
Rebuilding trust between Stormont's two main parties is going to take "an incredibly long time", according to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader. Arlene Foster said Sinn Féin's behaviour after talks to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland collapsed in February was "quite disgraceful".
8m Apr 27, 2018
8m
"It's the frontline staff as well as the patients that are feeling the pinch on this. It's not just the emergency departments it's right across the health service..." Alliance MLA @PaulaJaneB on the increase in A&E waiting times
Have you or a loved one been a victim of the mess that is the emergency departments in our hospitals? We want to hear from you this morning because the latest Department of Health figures show a massive increase in the number of patients waiting longer than 12 hours in emergency. Now here's the really shocking figure - in the first three months of this year, the number of people waiting for mo...
30m Apr 27, 2018
30m
"I think it's a lousy idea, I'm getting sick of the way the highly sensitised approach to gender neutrality is infiltrating every aspect of life." Commentator Angela Epstein on a Grammar school scrapping the positions of head boy and head girl
A Grammar school in Guernsey has scrapped the traditional positions of Head boy and Head girl to replace them more gender neutral terms. The student body is now led by a Chair, Vice Chairperson and a student voice leadership team. Head teacher Liz Coffey, said she sees the change as more inclusive as it does away with male and female stereotypes, the idea of gender specific jobs and hopefully ...
8m Apr 26, 2018
8m
"The hike in rates is unsustainable. Within the last four years it's actually tripled. In 2014 it was £5000 and in 2018 it's over £17,000. They don't empty our bins." Small business owner Eric on the rise on rates
By now you should all have received your rates bills with most seeing a rise. But do you know where exactly your money is going and do you think that you are getting value from them? Eric is a small business owner and has contacted the show about his rates and he is not happy......
10m Apr 26, 2018
10m
"The arrow on the road points you right into Chichester Street and it's a dead end! It's causing confusion..." Belfast City Councillor Jim Rodgers comments on the new road markings in Belfast City Centre
A "horlicks". That's how one belfast city councillor has described new road markings in belfast city centre. Jim rodgers says he's received several complaints after one of the city's busiest commuter areas, oxford street, was modified at the weekend. The story is covered in today's belfast telegraph.
16m Apr 26, 2018
16m
"He shouldn't have to do this, there should be an executive in place but without one London is clearly going over our heads." SDLP MLA Claire Hanna on David Sterling's leaked letter to Downing Street
In a dramatic intervention, the head of the civil service here, David Sterling, has warned the government that it's plans for the border post Brexit fail to solve most of the problems. In a private letter to Downing Street, Mr Sterling also appears to criticise a lack of engagement between officials in London and their counterparts in Belfast. He then lists seven areas in which he says Whitehal...
28m Apr 26, 2018
28m
"It's a lot better than what we had sending the mothers away, but it's still not good enough. Why do we not trust our own doctors here?" Sarah Ewart's mother Jane Christie on the announcement from the Departments of Health and Justice regarding abortion
Breaking news this morning. The Departments of Health and Justice have, under Freedom of Information Act requirements, have, jointly, decided to publish the 2016 report of the working group on fatal fetal abnormality. The report recommends that the law should be changed to provide for termination of pregnancy where an abnormality is of such a nature as to be likely to cause death either before...
25m Apr 25, 2018
25m
"Is it just a nostalgia thing? Or do people want these shows remade in a modern form?" TV Critic, @MikeWardOnTV on the revival of old popular programmes
What TV show do you wish would come back? With ITV bringing back Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in May after a four year absence, the research company YouGov Omnibus asked which other off-the-air shows they would most like to see resurrected. The results reveal that Blackadder is the show that the most Brits would like to see revived, with Tomorrow's World a close second.
13m Apr 25, 2018
13m
"The players don't want to sit there and talk about the last 18 months anymore... They want to move on and focus on the Rugby." Ex-Ulster player Paddy Wallace on Ulster Rugby's news journalist ban.
Ulster Rugby have banned all news journalists from their press conferences . If anybody intends to ask a question about their family values or how their players will be role models in the future, they will not be allowed in. The national union of journalists has described the situation as unacceptable. The Nolan show attempted to attend a press conference yesterday - we were banned too - wit...
29m Apr 25, 2018
29m
Ireland's pro rugby players to get 'sexual relations' classes in response to Belfast rape trial. Sensible precaution, or a patronising move? @TinaCalder and @MartinDaubney
Should adult sports stars be given classes about sexual relationships? Rugby Players Ireland, which represents professional players, will incorporate "sexual health and relationships" into its "wellbeing" workshop programme for the first time this year it comes as part of the sport's response to fallout from the rape trial. Former Ulster players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, were acquitted l...
16m Apr 24, 2018
16m
Nolan listener Trevor followed his sat nav - and ended up on the green at Ormeau Golf Club
Nolan listener Trevor followed his sat nav - and ended up on the green at Ormeau Golf Club. He told Stephen how it happened.
5m Apr 24, 2018
5m
2 hours in and out - no reporters, no politicians - does Brexit Secretary @DavidDavisMP care about the impact of #Brexit on NI?
The Brexit Secretary David Davis has had a lot of criticism for never having visited the border in spite of the impact leaving the EU will have on Northern Ireland. Well, he turned up yesterday but he was away again before most people even knew. Stephen got reaction from businessman and former NI Conservative Irwin Armstrong, former SDLP MP Mark Durkan, Co-operation Ireland CEO Peter Sheridan, ...
31m Apr 24, 2018
31m
‘A tiny statelet pretending to be a country’- journalist @NewtonEmerson defends controversial article on Northern Ireland #BBCNolan
A tiny statelet pretending to be a country, with a civil service costing everyone a fortune and not doing an awful lot right - that's a rough summation of commentator Newton Emerson's recent column in the Irish Times.
12m Apr 23, 2018
12m
‘The Jackal’ @RealCFrampton is all set for a dream world title fight at Windsor Park after his impressive win on Saturday night #BBCNolan
Another epic night of boxing took place at the SSE Arena on Saturday. Carl Frampton earned the WBO interim featherweight belt with a classy points win over former four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire. Setting up the mouth watering prospect of fight at Windsor Park in August.
11m Apr 23, 2018
11m
Reports claim Theresa May might keep the UK in the EU Customs Union after #Brexit. Is that what the public voted for? #BBCNolan
Theresa May's team has privately admitted she may have to accept permanent membership of a European customs union, after a secret wargaming exercise concluded that even Brexiteers such as Michael Gove and David Davis would not resign in protest. The prime minister has insisted that the UK will leave the common tariff area so it can pursue free trade deals outside the EU. But one of May's polit...
29m Apr 23, 2018
29m
Police urge the community to let them do their job after a vicious attack on a 16 year old child in Bangor at the weekend #BBCNolan
We hear about crime very day of our lives . So much so that we become sanitised to it. But something happened in Bangor this weekend that none of us should become immune to. A young girl was repeatedly punched in the face by another woman while lying on the ground. The attacker lifted the girls head by the hair and smashed it against the concrete ground three times.Then the girl was dragged al...
16m Apr 23, 2018
16m
Should more be done to tackle online trolls? Stephen talks to @naomi_long, @JamieBrysonCPNI and @LukeSGittos1986 #BBCNolan
There have been calls for more to be done to deal with online abuse after DUP leader Arlene Foster and her party colleague Carla Lockhart were targeted by online trolls in a series of vicious attacks over their appearance at the weekend. Deputy leader Nigel Dodds called for steps to be taken to end the "wild west culture of anything goes" on some social media platforms. A listener has contacted...
22m Apr 20, 2018
22m
Is it time to extend opening hours in Belfast on a Sunday? #BBCNolan reporter @Nweir1 went to City Hall to gauge reaction
Could Belfast be about to get longer Sunday Trading hours? A vote is currently taking place this morning at City Hall that could see Belfast designated as a 'holiday resort' which would allow certain larger shops to extend their opening hours on 18 Sundays in a year between March and September - except for Easter Sunday. But not all traders are happy with it.
6m Apr 20, 2018
6m
From missing notes to blank cheques and emails to the cousin - a week in the life of the RHI inquiry #BBCNolan
A huge week in the RHI inquiry came to an end yesterday. It was a week that saw many revelations. On Monday Arlene Foster admitted that she had never read the legislation on RHI , despite standing up in Stormont and recommending it to the public of Northern Ireland. Tuesday heard how Mrs Foster was asked to sign a document containing the following words regarding the RHI scheme : "I have rea...
20m Apr 20, 2018
20m
A leading academic suggests significant shift in the population here - are we now on the countdown to a new Ireland? @AlexKane221b and @chrisadonnelly discuss #BBCNolan
It is likely Catholics will outnumber Protestants by 2021 in Northern Ireland, according to a leading academic. Dr Paul Nolan, who specialises in monitoring the peace process and social trends, told BBC News that there could be more Catholics than Protestants in Northern Ireland by the centenary of the foundation of the state. So is that a game changer? Commentators Alex Kane and Chris Donnel...
32m Apr 20, 2018
32m
Arlene Foster admits that when she signed a declaration saying RHI scheme represented good use of taxpayers' money she did not know how much it would cost - @SJAMcBride reacts
Arlene Foster has admitted that when she signed a declaration saying that the RHI scheme represented a good use of taxpayers' money she did not know how much it would cost. However, Mrs Foster denies that represented a "blank cheque" and still insists that she didn't make any mistake at that time. Stephen spoke to Newsletter political editor Sam McBride.
15m Apr 19, 2018
15m
New figures suggest NI 'effectively at full employment'- but SDLP leader @columeastwood disagrees
Yesterday we had been talking about employment, as new figures suggest that Northern Ireland is at 'effectively at full employment' a level that is close to a record low. But SDLP leader Colum Eastwood disagrees. Stephen spoke to him earlier .
11m Apr 19, 2018
11m
Zero hours and zero chance of getting a full-time job - are we being spun a tale over our great economy? @AllisonMorris1 hits out at zero hours contracts
You'll remember we were talking yesterday about modern ways of working, zero hours contracts, casual contracts - of course, the BBC itself not without blame in this regard. Well, we could have filled three programmes with the number of calls we got on the issue. Loads of people wanting to tell their story or that of their adult childrens' experience in the world of work. Among them the commenta...
15m Apr 19, 2018
15m
Forget that extra money for the health service - the new report that says the UK will be hundreds of millions a week worse off after Brexit - @jdportes and @armstrong_irwin discuss
The government's preferred Brexit deal would leave the UK public finances £615m per week worse off than staying in the EU, according to new analysis. A study for the think tank Global Future looked at each of the three scenarios assessed by the government in its own leaked analysis, and you know what folks, none of the scenarios suggest good news. Jonathan Portes, a professor of economics at Ki...
32m Apr 19, 2018
32m
RHI Inquiry - Former DUP SPAD Andrew Crawford publicly apologises for sending a confidential government document about the RHI scheme to a relative
More very significant information from the RHI Inquiry yesterday as Arlene Foster's former special advisor andrew crawford continued to give evidnece. Mr Crawford publicly apologised for sending a confidential government document about the RHI scheme to a relative. During questions, Mr Crawford insisted his action - one of three times when he sent confidential RHI material to relatives - had no...
20m Apr 18, 2018
20m
Caller Barbara from Belfast takes issue with how the BBC employ their staff
So we are now at full employment - that pretty much suggests that anyone still claiming the dole is unemployable or not actively seeking work - but look around your family, your street, your community - does it really seem like we've never had it so good? And if it is so good, why can people not afford a house? Why is it that people who do have a job are queueing at food banks? Why do we all ow...
7m Apr 18, 2018
7m
We’ve never had it so good – or have we? Homelessness, food banks, zero hours and one-day-a-week contracts - BBC Nolan callers react
27m Apr 18, 2018
27m
Full employment - have we really never had it so good or do the figures not tell the whole story? Commentators Frank Shivers, Brian Pelan and financial journalist Paul Gosling discuss.
So we are now at full employment - that pretty much suggests that anyone still claiming the dole is unemployable or not actively seeking work - but look around your family, your street, your community - does it really seem like we've never had it so good? And if it is so good, why can people not afford a house? Why is it that people who do have a job are queueing at food banks? Why do we all ow...
16m Apr 18, 2018
16m
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have requested well-wishers donate to charity in lieu of wedding gifts. Is that a fair request from the royal couple? @TinaCalder and Fionola Meredith discuss
What do you buy as a wedding gift? A kettle, a toaster or maybe a picture frame? But what about a Royal couple? Next month sees the wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle, and the couple have released a list of charities they would like wedding well-wishers to donate to in lieu of gifts.  But is this an acceptable request? Or should a couple in their position be calling for ...
7m Apr 17, 2018
7m
The family of a disabled child with a life limiting condition say they have had to buy a paddling pool to bath her after plans to move them into new accommodation were delayed. Our reporter @nweir1 went to visit them..
The family say plans to relocate them to an adapted house close by have been delayed again by the Housing Executive and Hannah's parents, Kelly Anne and Brendan, say they've now had to move Hannah's bedroom into the living room as they can no longer carry her up and down the stairs.
9m Apr 17, 2018
9m
Big Tom, legend of Irish Country music, has died, aged 81 @ItsMeHugoD and Daniel O’Donnell pay tribute
The singer Big Tom McBride, one of the icons of Irish country music, has died at the age of 81.  In a statement, his family said: ''It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father Big Tom McBride (RIP) this morning. Tom McBride's career spanned over 50 years on the Irish country music scene. The Monaghan man was inducted into the Irish Country Music Awards Hall of Fame ...
7m Apr 17, 2018
7m
RHI Inquiry: The former special advisor to DUP leader Arlene Foster has accused her officials of "deliberately misleading" her about RHI
The former special advisor to DUP leader Arlene Foster has accused her officials of "deliberately misleading" her about RHI.  Andrew Crawford made the comments in evidence yesterday afternoon. He said a consultants' report was not properly reflected in an options paper presented to her. She picked the RHI scheme, even though a cheaper upfront grant would have provided more heat at lesser cost. ...
26m Apr 17, 2018
26m
RHI Inquiry: Arlene Foster “signed a blank cheque” by putting her signature to a statement that RHI was value for money -- even though she didn't know how much it would cost
A regulatory impact assessment weighs up costs and benefits of a government scheme before public money is spent.  Arlene Foster was asked to sign a document containing the following words regarding the RHI scheme: "I have read the Regulatory Impact Assessment and I am satisfied that the benefits justify the costs". Despite not knowing the costs, she signed the document anyway .
19m Apr 17, 2018
19m
UK joined France and US to bomb #Syria - was Theresa May right to go ahead without a vote in Parliament? @eamonderry and @SteveAikenUUP debate
The UK, the US and France joined forces to bomb Syria at the weekend. The government say they took action to alleviate humanitarian suffering and targeted the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability but the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says the grounds for military action are legally questionable. Stephen got the views of anti-war campaigner Eamonn McCann and UUP MLA and former nuclear subma...
9m Apr 16, 2018
9m
Big debate on #BBCNolan today - Ulster and Ireland rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have contracts terminated. What's behind that decision? Money or morality? @paddywallace12 and @adi_peltz debate
Ulster and Ireland rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have had their contracts terminated. Last month, the players were cleared of rape after a nine-week trial, but there had been controversy over social media and text messages they had exchanged. In a joint statement on Saturday, the IRFU and Ulster said their contracts have been revoked with "immediate effect". The decision has lef...
20m Apr 16, 2018
20m
The key RHI legislation that could cost you multiple millions - Arlene Foster now admits she never even read it - so why did she stand up in Stormont and recommend it to the public? @SJAMcBride reacts
There was a dramatic day of evidence at the RHI enquiry on Friday after Arlene Foster admitted that she has never read the legislation on RHI , despite standing up in Stormont and recommending it to the public of Northern Ireland. As we all know , the RHI enquiry has become one of the biggest political scandals to ever hit Northern Ireland , and contributed to the government in Northern Ireland...
32m Apr 16, 2018
32m
"They sponsor the club, not the individual players. They'd be concerned if they took action too quickly, they might get a backlash from people who bank with them who are passionate about Ulster Rugby."
"They sponsor the club, not the individual players. They'd be concerned if they took action too quickly, they might get a backlash from people who bank with them who are passionate about Ulster Rugby." Nick Garbutt on Bank of Ireland's concerns after the Paddy Jackson trial. One of Ulster Rugby's key sponsors has said it is "highly concerned" by issues arising out of the rape trial involving P...
21m Apr 13, 2018
21m
"I don't believe the deep rooted problems we see in Belfast, the answers to that lie in the yacht filled harbours of the French Riviera." @7815PWK of the NI Labour Party on Belfast City Council's yearly trip to the French Riviera.
Sinn Féin have hit out at Belfast City Council for asking for an additional £20 grand - to fund their yearly trip to the French Riveria for a property event. Currently the council invest £60,000 - but they asked to boost that to £80,000 at a meeting of the CITY GROWTH AND REGERATION COMITTEE this week. They say this is to 'take a larger and more strategic site at the event - to enable them to...
15m Apr 13, 2018
15m
@SJAMcBride analyses Dr Andrew Crawford's comments at the RHI Inquiry after "inappropriately" sharing confidential government information. #BBCNolan
DUP leader Arlene Foster and her former special advisor Dr Andrew Crawford have been giving evidence to the RHI inquiry. Dr Crawford resigned last year as the row over his role in the botched green energy scheme escalated. He had been accused of trying to keep the scheme open at a time when it was losing public money. He denies that claim. Mrs Foster, of course, was Minister for the departme...
29m Apr 13, 2018
29m
Proposed changes to the law could see new restrictions imposed on young drivers - a good idea? Commentators Frank Shivers and Lata Sharma debate
Young drivers are to be limited to carrying no more than one passenger between the hours of 11pm and 6am under proposed changes to the law. Other proposals include a six month mandatory learning period, removal of the 45mph restriction so lessons can take place on the motorway and the extension of driving restrictions for 24 months instead of the current 12 after passing the test. So, a good id...
9m Apr 12, 2018
9m
The big @StephenNolan Peter Robinson interview - commentators @SJAMcBride and @IRLPatricia react
The big Nolan / Peter Robinson interview - commentators Sam McBride and Patricia MacBride react
22m Apr 12, 2018
22m
No regrets, no tears goodbye - Peter Robinson talks to @StephenNolan about the Agreement, Arlene and life after politics
In a rare sit down broadcast interview on the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Peter Robinson gives his thoughts on the historic deal. The former DUP leader also gave his thoughts on the big issues his successors face today - Like the failed attempt to restore Stormont. Stephen began by asking Peter Robinson if he regretted not having supported the Good Friday Agreement from the beginn...
49m Apr 12, 2018
49m
Derryman Tony Daly went to London as a teenager to escape the Troubles but those dreams turned into a nightmare when he was forced into a life of sexual exploitation
Warning this next story may contain details that some people may find disturbing Tony Daly was like many young men growing up during the troubles, trying to escape the fear and uncertainty of Northern Ireland. He landed his dream job in London but those dreams quickly turned into a nightmare when he was force into a life of sexual exploitation for London's high society. Tony has written about...
25m Apr 11, 2018
25m
A leading private boarding school has said it would allow a boy to wear a skirt if requested. Would you agree?
A leading private boarding school has said it would allow a boy to wear a skirt if requested. Richard Maloney, the headmaster of Uppingham school in Rutland, whose old boys include the broadcaster Stephen Fry and the chef Rick Stein,  said any boy who said he wanted to wear a skirt would be treated sympathetically. Is that something you would support in schools here?  We discuss this with comme...
7m Apr 11, 2018
7m
The row over naming a Newry playpark after IRA man Raymond McCreesh continues - UUP's David Taylor and commentator Jude Collins clash
A motion calling for a council to change the name of a County Down playpark currently named after an IRA man - has failed. Unionists on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council put the motion forward on Monday night to remove Raymond McCreesh's name from a park in Newry. But the council voted through a Sinn Fein amendment instead. Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor said 'this latest snub is...
29m Apr 11, 2018
29m