The PSNI has launched a new recruitment campaign today. It comes amid ongoing concerns over its ability to increase numbers of Catholic officers. But could a return to 50-50 recruitment be the answer? The Justice Minister Naomi Long says she's willing to consider it. Stephen spoke to Naomi Long, SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly and DUP MLA Mervyn Storey.…

Should we ban all advertising for gambling on TV and online? That's the call from some MPs who are backing a Commons ­motion urging the Government to act. In December 2018 - some of the biggest gambling companies voluntarily agreed to a "whistle-to-whistle" television advertising ban. But is it time to step it up and remove all betting ads from TV …

Last night Sinn Fein's council motion on the future of Belfast Zoo was referred to the a council sub-committee for consideration. Currently the council subsidises the zoo at a cost of £2.5m each year and Sinn Fein councillor Conor Maskey has called for the site to be transformed into a "world class visitor attraction" which would not include what h…

Over the weekend Stephen heard from the boss of a prominent animal rights group who said we should stop calling our pets - 'pets'. Ingrid Newkirk who runs PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) says the term 'pet' is derogatory because it makes living things sound like a 'commodity' or 'decoration'... They aren't, she says. "something w…

It's been revealed that Northern Ireland's health trusts have made over £15.5m from hospital car parking charges in the last three years. And get this - more than £2.8m of that income came from charging staff to park their vehicles. Add to that - some Trusts are even clamping people who don't comply. The only trusts not to charge their employees - …

The moment the UK left the EU has come and gone with some Unionist celebrating outside the gates of Stormont. But what were they celebrating? A small step towards Irish Unity, according to the News Letter's deputy editor Ben Lowry. He spoke with Stephen as did South Down MLA Jim Wells, who helped to organise the event.…

Almost 92% of Belfast shopworkers do not want longer opening hours on a Sunday. Tha'ts according to a new survey carried out by the shopworkers' union USDAW. A consultation on the issue carried out by Belfast City Council has recently closed, but what do you think? Do you want to be able to shop for longer on a Sunday? Stephen spoke to Peter Lynas …

Sinn Fein have called for support from church leaders and civic society in asking the British Government for more money But the question is - why are they asking for money after they signed up to the Stormont deal last month? Is it a sensible call? Or does it smack of desperation? And who is going to listen to them now that the Executive is up and …

The Nolan Show has been trying to get some clarity around many of the issues arising from the MOT fiasco in Northern Ireland. There has been some confusion about untaxed four year old vehicles, and whether any leeway would be given to them by authorities. Joining us this morning to clear up any confusion from a policing perspective was Inspector Ro…

“We absolutely accept the accountability in governance that sits with us”. Nikki Patterson – Director of Nursing and Older People’s Services at South Eastern Trust on Commissioner for Older People reportBy The Nolan Show

Some shock at the National Television Awards last night as Mrs Browns Boys bagged the award for 'Best Comedy'beating the likes of the hugely popular Derry Girls, and Golden Globe winner Fleabag. Were the others robbed? Stephen heard from commentator and Mrs Brown fan, Niamh Horan and commentator Andrea McVeigh.…

Charge car and van drivers to use new 'Ultra Low Emission Zones' in Belfast city centre. Or ban the use of wood burning stoves and coal fires in centre parts of the city? Just some suggestions from 'Centre for Cities' - a Research and Policy Charity. It follows publication of their new study - linking more than 1 in 24 deaths in Belfast to pollutio…

All MOT tests for cars and light vehicles in Northern Ireland have been cancelled. What a fiasco. If you have a car that is needing an MOT for the first time - you do not know when you will be seen. The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Agency says he doesn't know how many people needing their MOT for first time will be affected. Stephen sp…

Temporary MOT exemption for drivers whose tests have been cancelled comes in to place this morning. It applies to motorists whose MOTs have expired, or are soon to expire. The DVA is inspecting MOT test centres after signs of cracking were discovered in 48 of 55 lifts, disrupting hundreds of tests.By The Nolan Show

The funeral of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister, Seamus Mallon, will take place later today in County Armagh. Mr Mallon died aged 83 on Friday. As deputy leader of the SDLP from 1979 to 2001, Mr Mallon was described as one of the architects of the peace process - even though he told BBC Northern Ireland in an interview last year that…

Kelvin and Mike are on the Strictly tour that comes to Belfast next week.By The Nolan Show

A Carrickfergus man, who has celebral palsy, says he's being discriminated against when it comes to overnight accommodation. Mark Clagg is 35 years old and requires a hoist to lift him in and out of bed. However, he says because these aren't readily available in hotels and guest houses he's been unable to stay overnight with family and friends on t…

Listeners describing it as a shambles at MOT centres throughout NI. Essentially the Dept of Infrastructure is telling people to turn up at centres - but they don't know if they will be able to deliver on the appointment Nicola Mallon is the new minister in charge - I presume minister you understand that people take time off work - that people need …

An online bingo site says it's considering throwing out classic calls like "two fat ladies" eighty-eight, to make the game more "woke" for the younger generation. Foxy Bingo says eighty-eight could in future be "Wills and Kate". Other suggestions include thirty-eight "avocado on a plate" and seventy-four "recycle more". Nearly four million people p…

Hundreds of thousands of over-75s will struggle to pay for their TV licences when the free license is scrapped later this year - that according to a major new study. Age UK said the plans will be a ‘shock to the budgets of many older people’ and ‘may be too much’ for them. They've highlighted that the current £154.50 annual fee costs more than thre…

What would you do if you were told you had months to live? That's what's facing a 26 year old Coalisland woman who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer this time last year. It was initially thought Shannon Whitehouse had muscle strain but after a lump appeared on her hip she was given the news that it was Ewing's sarcoma - a cancer that affects…

NIPSA - the largest public sector trade union in Northern Ireland - has confirmed that strike action planned for tomorrow will go ahead. Union officials held a meeting yesterday with finance minister to demand a pay increase for civil servants. The union met with Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy on behalf of members who they say have had a below-inflation …

The Assembly Commission is to meet today to discuss a request to halt a pay rise for MLAs. Yesterday, the five main Stormont parties said they shared public dismay about the decision to boost their salaries by £1,000. The pay is due to rise from £49,500 to £50,500 under rules set by the Independent Financial Review Panel. And they're due another £5…

Should we all have the right to know what our colleagues earn to help create fairer pay levels? Radio presenter Sarah Montague won a £400,000 settlement and an apology from the BBC. Montague says she was treated "unequally" by the corporation for years. In 2018, she said she was "incandescent with rage" after finding out her £133,000-a-year salary …

Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg addressed political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland yesterday. But according to some psychologists and psychiatrists, talk of a ‘climate crisis’ has led to an upsurge in young people reporting feelings of anxiety, helplessness and guilt. Vinny heard the views of commenta…

Despite the Assembly only being back 2 weeks after an absence of 3 years Your MLAs have been given a £1000 pay rise increasing their annual salary to £50,500. They were due to receive the extra money over the past three years, but the increase was blocked by the former Secretary of State Karen Bradley because Stormont was suspended. MLAs pay is set…

Belfast priest Father Gary Donegan says he wants to put an end to what he calls "circus funerals". In an interview in today's Belfast Telegraph, the influential cleric says he does not allow rap music, football tops or huge floral displays at funerals. Fr Donegan is concerned that some of the eulogies and paraphernalia at services is actually "glam…

A new code of conduct for Stormont's special advisers and how they are appointed has been made public. It states that ministers are responsible for the management, conduct and discipline of their SPADS. It also sees their salaries capped at £85,000 per year. Vinny spoke to Alan McQuillan (Previously on the Independent financial review panel) and Fo…

We have been hearing in recent weeks of the pressure that doctors and nurses are facing as the strain on the health service continues. But what about the GPs working in the community? I have been speaking to Dr Liam Farrell a former GP who as well as battling to help patients in Crossmaglen was also battling his own addiction to morphine. He has wr…

"A bottomless pit beset by corruption" That's the damning verdict on Northern Ireland by the writer and broadcaster Matthew Parris. Writing in The Times newspaper, the former Conservative MP says the idea of a united Ireland "makes so much sense". He says its costs taxpayers more to keep Northern Ireland in the union than the UK will get back from …

Conor McGregor made his anticipated comeback in Las Vegas at the weekend against Donald Cerrone, his first fight since October 2018 and he was back with a bang. The fight took all of 40 seconds as the Irishman claimed to have made history as the first fighter in UFC history to secure knockouts in three different weight divisions but was it a bum de…

They're out of "The Firm". It was announced on Saturday night that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will stop carrying out Royal duties, they won't use their HRH titles, and they'll pay back the £2.4m of taxpayers' money spent renovating their cottage in Windsor. Harry and Meghan are heading for a new life in Canada - but what's next for them, and fo…

Now next up - Translink have come under fire for advertisements, featured on the side of their buses calling for people to consider Veganism. One advert read "it's not a personal choice when someone is killed, use plants not animals", another "dairy takes babies from their mothers". Translink have told this programme "These bus-side advertisements …

Get your priorities right. That was the recent message from the Secretary of State Julian Smith. Are our politicians now taking notice? Late last week the First Minister Arlene Foster hinted that Tuition fees may be one area where they make changes, in order to raise cash. Vinny spoke to Robert Murtagh, President of NUS-USI, alongside commentators …

Northern Ireland health unions have suspended planned strike action following talks with the Department of Health. 12 hours strikes had been set to go ahead on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. However the union NIPSA has said it is not happy with the deal and their strike on the 24th will go ahead. Vinny heard from Patrick Mullholland from NIPSA and c…

The Taoiseach is set to visit Drogheda after a teenager from the town was abducted, murdered and his body dismembered. The killers then dumped his body parts in a number of locations in Dublin. 17 year old Keane Mulready-Woods is believed to be the latest victim of a gangland feud. Vinny spoke to the child protection expert and former PSNI Detectiv…

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme has come up with a list of essential activities for teenagers to complete before adulthood - including going to a festival, volunteering, learning to manage your money and going vegan. Not surprisingly, perhaps, for an organisation that promotes the great outdoors, it recommends "spending time in nature". Joining …

There has been anger from victims and unionist politicians about the display of some items in a republican museum in Belfast Some of the exhibits at the Roddy McCorley Society include a soldier’s rifle found near the site of the IRA bombing at Narrow water and a pair of Colonel Gaddafi’s shoes. The Society has had funding of £1 million pounds 'agre…

Should you get more holiday days, if you're a non-smoker? That's exactly what one boss in Swindon has decided to do. And it's not just for the health benefits or to incentivise staff - it's because he noticed how much time smokers were spending away from their desks on smoke breaks. Managing director Don Bryden said that he noticed his employees wh…

Using private email for government business. Failing to keep minutes of Ministerial meetings - so there's no official record. Sending confidential government documents - to family members. Just some of the practices exposed by the RHI Inquiry. The TUV leader Jim Allister is trying to introduce legislation that would lead to jail terms for politicia…

Do you worry about your dog - when you leave him or her alone in the house? Now - online music giant Spotify have launched a podcast for dogs left home alone. They've done this after its own polling suggested most owners believe audio recordings help calm their canines. Vinny spoke with dog trainer Michael McCartney and dog owner Lata Sharma.…

Stephen Farry reacts to Stormont's financial package offered by Westminster.By The Nolan Show

An "act of bad faith" - that's how the finance minister Conor Murphy has described the financial package offered by Westminster to support the Stormont deal. One billion pounds of new money is on the table. Another billion is expected to be added as an automatic result of spending plans for the entire UK. Last night in a series of tweets Secretary …

Should nude art classes be taught to school art students to counter the effect of negative body image issues? Well there are some campaigners who think that providing young people with controlled exposure to nudity in life drawing classes would allow teenagers to see the human body in all shapes and sizes and that there is no "perfect" form. Would …

'Reducing Air Passenger Duty would fly in the face of the governments commitment to climate change'. That's the message from the Green Party NI, and comes as scrapping the tax for domestic flights was proposed as a way of saving troubled airline - Flybe. Ryanair in the past has pulled some flights from Northern Ireland because they say it is just t…

Should Big Ben bong for Brexit? Well if it does it will cost an estimated £500,000 according to the prime minister. There have been calls for the famous bell to ring at 23:00 GMT on 31 January to signal the UK leaving the EU. But due to ongoing restoration work it has only rung on a few occasions since refurbishment of the tower housing it began in…

The new health minister Robin Swann says he's found the money to resolve the nurses' pay dispute and get health workers off the picket line and back to work. But where's the money coming from? The Minister announced that he's borrowing £30m from next year's Stormont budget. That might work if the Executive gets a big cash injection from the British…

Would you swap a steak dinner for a burger grown in a lab? Or pasta made from bacterial flour created by scientists? According to the environmentalist George Monbiot, before long most of what we eat won't come from animals or plants, but from what he calls "farm-free foods". Some researchers predict the collapse of the livestock industry within a c…

Same sex marriage is now legal in Northern Ireland. The law came into effect yesterday, with Amnesty International describing it as an historic day for equality and human rights. The first couples wanting to get married could set their dates for the week of Valentine's Day. But those who want a religious marriage ceremony - and couples who wish to …

The deal was done but without nailing down just how much money was on offer. Prime Minister Boris Johnson came and went yesterday and still there was no hint about the funding that many thought would be made available to sort Northern Ireland's many problems. Issues like health, education and welfare reform. And then last night Finance Minister Con…