Stormont Sources

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKernan go inside the chamber to discuss the latest political developments at Stormont.

We take a closer look into Danny Baker’s Holiday Hunger Bill discussing whether it is a vital lifeline for 90,000 children, or a fiscally "irresponsible" use of a Private Member’s Bill? The panel also explores the tension between Education Minister Paul Givan and the bill’s supporters, while also raising questions as to whether the Assembly’s legislative process needs a more “Westminster-style” approach.

Throughout the second half, the panel responds to our listeners' questions.

DUP vs Sinn Féin: Are the DUP outperforming Sinn Féin ministers in the Executive?
The Micheál Martin Factor: How does the Taoiseach’s "Shared Island" approach compare to previous leaders?
Constitutional Debates: Does reconciliation need to come first before a United Ireland?
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In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Cairns, and Michael McKiernan break down the latest "Ireland Thinks" poll from the Sunday Independent. Irish Unity failed to make it near the top list of concerns for voters in the Republic. Does this signal a cooling of the "inevitability" narrative, or is it just the reality of the cost-of-living crisis?

Later we are joined by the DUP’s Deborah Erskine MLA. Having recently returned from maternity leave, Deborah shares a refreshingly honest look at the "mad, crazy job" of being an MLA while caring for a newborn with medical challenges. We discuss whether Stormont is truly family-friendly, the "unfiltered" tone of the chamber, and her outlook for the next Assembly election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

In this episode:
Why housing and immigration are trumping the border question in the South.
Is the opposition’s flagship policy failing to cut through?
Deborah Erskine on the "chamber substitute" system and the lack of childcare.

📩 Get in touch: [email protected]
📞 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 (start your message with “Stormont”)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northern Ireland is facing a funding cliff edge — costing up to 400 jobs.

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Tim Kearns and Michael McKernan break down the growing crisis in the voluntary sector, as funding for the Local Growth Fund drops from £25m to just £9m.

Plus NICVA’s Celine McStravick spills on the real impact: services cut, organisations under threat, and thousands left without support.
👉 Who’s responsible — the UK Government or the Northern Ireland Executive?
👉 Can anything be done before it’s too late?

PLUS:
The DUP targets West Belfast — but can unionism really win there for the first time in 20 years?

📩 Get in touch: [email protected]
📞 Voicemail: 0333 404 6507 (use code “Stormont”)

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Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minister of Education Paul Givan joins Stormont Sources to issue a direct rebuttal to critiques of his landmark 'TransformEd' policy.

Two weeks ago, we heard from Sinn Féin and Alliance members of the Education Committee.

Today, the Minister himself responds to what he calls "misrepresentations" of his reforms. From the abolition of AS-Levels to the "test factory" culture in NI schools, we go into the weeds of the most significant education shake-up in a generation.

In this episode, we discuss:
The Rebuttal: Why Paul Givan issued a Ministerial Statement specifically about this podcast.
TransformEd Explained: Addressing the 10 "myths" of the new curriculum.
Exam Overhaul: The move away from modular GCSEs and the future of A-Levels.
The Academic Selection "Elephant": Why the Minister isn't touching the transfer test.
Stormont Culture: Is the atmosphere between parties becoming "toxic"?
The DUP & Minimum Unit Pricing: Why the party is blocking Mike Nesbitt's health policy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Andy Burnham miss the mark at the Alliance Party Conference? 🗳️

In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann, Michael McKernan (former SDLP Advisor), and Tim Cairns (former DUP Advisor) dive into a packed week in Northern Ireland politics.

We break down the highlights (and tactical errors) of the Alliance Party Conference, discuss whether Eóin Tennyson is the leader-in-waiting, and analyse the "shadow boxing" between Alliance and the SDLP.

Plus, we head across the Atlantic to discuss the St. Patrick’s Day visits to Washington. From Donald Trump’s surprising comments on Irish Unity to the row over boycotting the White House - who were the "adults in the room"?

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Click stormontsources.com to listen and for all of our episodes

Welcome inside politics in Northern Ireland. Listen to the podcast which brings you analysis, insight and experience from Stormont. Join journalist, David McCann, plus Tim Cairns, a former Special Advisor to Peter Robinson and Head of Policy for the DUP and Micheal McKernan, a former Special Advisor in the SDLP worked in the Executive from 2007-2016.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.