The BelTel

Lee Reynolds is Northern Ireland's first Commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition. The Coleraine man is a former DUP special advisor, Belfast city councillor and he’s the man who coordinated the campaign for Brexit in Northern Ireland. What does the role entail? What is Mr Reynold’s vision? And what changes can people expect to see, and hear? Lee Reynolds joined Ciarán Dunbar in the studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dave Rupert, a six and half foot tall, middle-aged trucker from Chicago, with no Irish links. Rupert was a tourist who enjoyed a pint and through a series of chance events became a trusted republican insider and then an agent working for the FBI. How did an American man with no background in republicanism end up living a double life as part of the Real IRA Army council, and why did its leader Mickey McKevitt believe him? Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Abdon Pallasch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belfast man Colin Davidson is one of Ireland’s most celebrated painters. Queen Elizabeth II, Bono, Ed Sheeran and Seamus Heaney are among the host of famous faces to have sat for him. Yet the Belfast-born painter regards his greatest work as a series of 18 portraits, which he did for free. In his new book, titled ‘Twelve paintings: Conversations with Mark Carruthers’ the NI artist speaks to BBC Journalist about 12 of his key works about why he does what he does. Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride is joined by Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner says the Irish language is not controversial and that opposition to it is “amplified” by the media. Dr Pól Deeds also said he couldn’t think of an example of language “weaponisation”. Unionist opposition to the language has long been justified as legitimate due to “weaponisation” of Irish by republicans. Dr Deeds spoke to the BelTel’s Ciarán Dunbar in a wide-ranging interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The long-awaited report on the activities of IRA double agent ‘Stakeknife’, Freddie Scappaticci, has now been released. The investigation, which cost close to £48 million and took eight years, has revealed new details, despite not naming Scappaticci as Stakeknife. It reveals details of security forces confirming that the Stakeknife operation probably cost more lives than it saved and established. that Scappaticci ‘volunteered interest in helping security forces’. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris and Kurtis Reid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.