23/12/2013 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline. As Richard Haass provides

more revised proposals on flags, parades and the pass, round table

session of the talks tonight is being seen as potentially critical.

It is the busiest day of the year for air and sea travellers, but

there is a storm coming and will expel misery for some people?

Opening hours are cut at two hospital Accident and Emergency

departments. The legal aid bill topped 65 million pounds of

taxpayers money last year. Local football's most decorated club is

top of the tree, but can Linfield stay there over Christmas? And as

well as the strong winds, we'll also have some ice and snow but will it

settle down for Christmas Day? Find out shortly. Another day of the

Haass talks and another document with revised proposals on dealing

with flags, parades and the past. The five main Stormont parties have

been studying what Richard Haass and his co-chair Meghan O'Sullivan have

put forward. The fact that a round table meeting has been delayed

indicates there are still big problems to be resolved. A session

pencilled in for eleven o'clock this morning shifted to six this evening

and now half past eight. We'll go to the talks venue shortly to hear how

close they are to an agreement. First our Political Reporter Stephen

Walker looks at what happened today. Winters shower created those who

came early to the Stormont hotel, but this was to be -- if this was to

be the final day, it was not a great beginning. Richard Haass remained

optimistic and he tweeted that it could be a long day and there was

much to be settled before Christmas, ending that it was surely worth

that. The DUP made clear that they did not think an agreement could be

reached today and that plans were in place for talks after Christmas.

Richard Haass has indicated that if necessary we will continue on the

27th and the 28th of December to see if we can close the gaps if we

cannot do so today. Sinn Fein said they were working for an agreement

on the issues and that any deal was based on quality and parity of

esteem. We will be wanting something that deals with both identities,

that includes Irishness. I understand the debate. It has been

about Britishness. We are in here on the basis of equality and parity of

esteem. The Ulster Unionists also met Richard Haass, but they were

embarrassed by the weekend comments of Michael Copeland who spoke about

the former US diplomat. I do not know what is in these proposals.

What I have heard and what I have seen, and I do not want to be rude,

but I really think he should go home. Leave us who live here to mend

our ways as best we can. Through the party, Michael Copeland apologised.

He regrets the comments and supports the party leadership. What he said

undermined your leadership? He now backs what the leadership is doing.

Later on Facebook, Michael Copeland said he stood by his words, saying I

did not apologise for what I said. I apologised if anyone took offence.

Sometimes the truth needs to be spoken. By mid-afternoon, Richard

Haass sent the revised proposals on dealing with the past. He then took

to Twitter to say that his team were still hard at work and the diplomat

added that it was difficult to imagine a better Christmas present

for one and all. Tonight the Secretary of State in Courage the

parties to continue talking. Richard Haass has an absolute deadline, he

is not coming back in January. He sees that the clock is ticking down

in terms of reaching an agreement. I have been encouraging the parties to

do that, to make progress, but the reality is that the issues are

difficult. The parties are considering the latest draft and

round table talks are expected around 8:30pm tonight. Our Political

Editor Mark Devenport is at the talks venue. So Mark, what's your

understanding of what's in this latest draft? I am told that in this

latest draft, there is very little on flags which represents the lack

of agreement on that issue, there is quite a lot on the past, these new

institutions to investigate the past. There is a fair amount on

parades, the various structures that are intended to replace the Parades

Commission. In past drafts, there have been various ideas which have

been floated, to test reaction, but I am led to understand that the

intention here is to include nothing new, instead to try and synthesise

matters, to stretch all the parties, but not beyond breaking point, to

try and find middle ground. What about the timing? I am led to

believe that the round table session which has been pencilled in for

8:30pm could be a long session, because they really are trying to

push towards an agreement and I understand that it is being seen by

many people as potentially critical. Obviously with the stakes getting

higher as things move towards a conclusion, there could be a

kickback from some parties, so to get some reaction by this, I am

joined by Mike Nesbitt. I gather you have got concerns about this. Our

party are discussing it at the moment. I think parades is nearly

there and the process to deal with flags, are concerns are about the

structures and language to deal with the past. You cannot airbrush the

concept of terrorism out of history. You cannot start describing the UVF

and the IRA and the others as non-governmental organisations. We

expect others to come in and support us and if they do, I think we can

push on and do some very good work. With concerns like that, is it

possible to get agreement tonight? I think it is, if we all get real

about what happened. Terrorism has a definition under the Terrorism Act.

It is not for me to define it or anyone else, it is already defined.

Thank you. You get a sense of some of the tough talking which will be

happening at the session tonight. The politicians are deeply involved

in the discussions, but what about the people on the streets? It is the

day before Christmas Eve after all, one of the busiest times of the year

for so many. Are they engaged with the Haass talks process? Are they

following it hour by hour? Will Leitch finds out. Exactly one year

ago, flag protest is on the streets, today the only people spending long

hours standing about by the media, looking for news from the talks. On

social media, Richard Haass made it clear there was no agreement yet.

But this close to Christmas, our towns and cities are still bustling.

The message is if you're looking for a result from the talks, do not hold

your breath. Lastly, we published the results of a poll on flags,

parading and the past and look at this. On the future of the Parades

Commission, more people wanted to keep it than abolish it. 37% of

respondents were not bothered either way. When BBC Newsline polled the

public about these issues, that there was that fairly high

percentage of people who registered no opinion. Now, with the talks

coming down to the wire, you can still find people who do care. You

have to have hope. It might be a few steps forward and a few steps back.

I hope the talks continue so there is a resolution. Whether it is New

Year or before Christmas, as long as something positive happens that is

the main thing. The way things are going, it is going to be hard to

come to a mutual agreement. Something the process is not

inclusive enough. The fact that Richard Haass is approaching this

from the basis of a Belfast model is the core problem. We have had

dealing with the past, it has been bolted on to issues of cultural

identity. If the parties cannot reach agreement, there might still

be the last few days of December to try again, but will the talks

Christmas present many people were looking for, at any price when the

sales are on? Stormy weather overnight and tomorrow is expected

to lead to treacherous driving conditions and disruption to travel

services. Northern Ireland Electricity has teams of engineers

on stand-by to deal with any power cuts. Mervyn Jess is at Belfast City

Airport. What's the latest there, Mervyn? People have been pouring

into and out of this airport all day. The busiest day of the year, it

is estimated at about 7000 passengers will have passed through

this terminal, airlines operating at nearly full capacity. There have

been a number of delays arriving here this afternoon from other

airports across the UK. While the two main airports in Northern

Ireland are confident about their operations tomorrow, despite the

weather, the same cannot be said of the ferry services and the

electricity network. The busiest day of the year for Belfast City Hall

report as the Christmas rush reaches its peak. Coinciding with a batch of

bad weather moving in from the west. There have been some flight delays

this afternoon, but Belfast City Airport is hopeful it can cope with

the bad weather tomorrow, as does the International Airport. We are

well prepared, we have a good setup here in terms of the equipment to

deal with bad weather conditions. We have experienced after. Last year in

April, when everything fell down with six feet of snow across the

country, we have a recording of one of the pilots coming across the

Atlantic and the only two airfields that were open where a Belfast

International and Frankfurt. We have stayed open in the past in severe

weather and we will do so again. Ferry services are supposed to be --

are expected to be expected. The last ceilings add a Belfast and

Karen Ryan will be the 2330 sailings and we will not sell tomorrow until

later. Yesterday we advised passengers to rebook. Those who have

not been booked today, we will accommodate tomorrow. It is feared

high winds will disrupt power supplies in some areas with the

worst of them expected to hit in the early hours of tomorrow. We have

been speaking to the Met Office. We first got indication last Friday

about it. We have taken preparation so far to ensure that we have

resources available to respond. With winds forecast as they are to gust

approaching 70 mph, history shows that that has an impact on the

network and there is the likelihood that there will be some impact in

terms of power supplies over Christmas. A timely warning that

some people may have some difficulty cooking their turkeys tomorrow.

Barra Best will have a full update on the weather later. NIE says that

if anyone is off supply they should contact the company on 08457 643643

or contact it via the website, www.nie.co.uk. Still to come on the

programme, an unlikely visitor to some homes this Christmas.

The Accident and Emergency departments at two hospitals here

are to close at the weekends. The hospitals affected are the Downe

hospital and the Lagan Valley hospital. The Downe will also see

its weekday hours reduced. The units will no longer have

accident and emergency services at the weekends from the New Year. The

health trust says it is because there are not enough suitably

qualified doctors and existing out-of-hours services on both sides

will continue. They will operate from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.

This represents no change to the Lagan Valley weekday hours. News the

trust was thinking of the move was leaked to the media last week.

Downpatrick is 25 miles away from Belfast and other major hospitals.

For our Ambulance Services, the skills paramedics in our area, they

will have to provide a service up to Belfast, taking them up and off the

roads for if you are as each time they have to deliver a patient.

There is increasing pressure and that ultimately will cost lives.

Senior health trust bosses are meeting council members now to

explain their decision in purpose. -- in person.

A 34-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after an

assault at a pub in Cloughmills. The police have appealed for witnesses

to the attack which happened in Main Street shortly after 2:30 this

morning. A man arrested in Coleraine this afternoon is being questioned

by police. A second man has appeared in court

charged with the murder of two people in east Belfast. The bodies

of Finbar McGrillen and Caron Smyth were found in a flat in the

Ravenhill area earlier this month. 42-year-old Ciaran Nugent, whose

address was given as the Simon Community hostel in Belfast, denies

the charges. Last week a 33-year-old man also appeared in court charged

with both murders. A newly appointed member of the

Parades Commission has resigned just days before taking up the post. Glyn

Roberts, a prominent spokesperson for the retail business community,

was appointed by the Secretary of State along with four others earlier

this month. Mr Roberts said he declined the post because he felt

the time needed to fulfil his duties would conflict with his own work.

200 barristers and solicitors firms were paid more than ?65 million from

the public as legal aid work in the year ending last March. The pay-out

follows the introduction of new lower fees aimed at drastically

reducing the bill. Legal aid exists to ensure fair

trial for those who cannot afford to pay for legal representation. It

does not come cheap. The cost here is higher than anywhere else in the

world. More than ?400 million has been paid out in the past nine

years. Figures released by the legal services commission today revealed

the top 100 burning barristers were paid more than 44 million pounds in

the 12 month period up to the end of March this year. The top 100

solicitors firms received nearly ?21 million. One barrister and just over

?1 million. Another three barristers also earned over ?500,000. A further

four barristers were paid more than ?400,000 and another 15 received

more than ?250,000. When it comes to solicitors firms, the top earner

received over ?2.4 million. One of the firm was paid more than one

other firm was paid more than ?1.5 million while a further four firms

received over ?1 million. Those payments do not include what the

barristers and solicitors received for their private legal work. Become

two years after the Justice Minister David Ford introduced new lower

legal aid fees in a move aimed at drastically cutting the bill. Last

month, inspectors criticised the body that ministers payments, saying

there needs to be radical reform to combat the spiralling cost.

Nursing homes in County Antrim have been attracting an unusual breed of

visitors in recent months - donkeys. The animals have been used to cheer

up residents and the visits have become a form of therapy. But

bringing a donkey indoors means precautions need to be taken.

Did you hear the one about the donkey who visited a nursing home?

This is no joke. It is for real. This donkey comes here often. To

protect the carpet, his every move is followed by a tall man with a

large bucket. Just in case of accidents. Residents are encouraged

to pat him. It is probably better not to feed him. I have nothing for

a lovely boy! He is beautiful, gorgeous. According to the nursing

staff, just seeing him can be better than any medicine. We find that the

residents love having him here and there is great therapeutic benefits.

Many of them used to have horses and donkeys in their younger years and

brings back memories. We enjoy having him. This is a six-year-old

agrees. He is beautiful. We were looking forward to seeing the donkey

coming. We are all gathered around and we were chosen to come and see

the donkey arriving. You are beautiful. This is where he comes

from, The Donkey Sanctuary in Templepatrick. In total, there are

17 donkeys here, some of them have been mistreated in the past will

stop they have come from both sides of the Irish border. This one is

from Ireland McGee and this one is from Galway. How do they feel about

having to go on day trips to nursing homes? The donkeys absolutely love

it. We did not -- we would not do it if they did not enjoy it. They love

interacting with people and the social side of it. They are also

very well-behaved. This one spent an hour here without any accidents.

Well, not until he got outside! Still ahead on the programme: a

school choir gives us a musical treat on the night before Christmas

Eve. While most people get to enjoy a few

days off work over Christmas, it can be a busy time for our sportsmen and

women. Stephen Watson can tell us more.

Some of our footballers don't even get Christmas Day off. The players

from Dundela and Immaculata will this year contest the traditional

Steel and Sons Cup. Boxing Day is always derby day of the top local

teams. Linfield travel across town to meet their Belfast rivals

Glentoran with a four point lead at the top of the table.

Being top of the tree at Christmas does not guarantee a league title

but it is a good position to start the New Year in. Linfield added

three more points against Portadown head of a trip to East Belfast. My

first big two game was in 1982 and I have been too many since then. The

form book goes out the window, it does not matter, it is just a day

when there are so many elements that have to come together for you to get

a victory. It will be second against third at sea view. The two north

Belfast clubs swapped positions on Saturday as Crusaders lost to

Ballymena and Cliftonville took full advantage will stop this strike was

enough to defeat on Allard. The big winners possibly could be Linfield

if it was to end up a draw. We will go down there and we will give it a

good go. There will be a good crowd and I just hope it will be a great

game. One side who desperately need a change in fortunes over the

festive period is Korean. They take on Ballymena hoping to avoid and

eight consecutive defeat. Ulster's rugby players have had a

busy festive period as well with two big derby games. Both are sold out

but both are live here on BBC Northern Ireland. Ulster, who

struggled to a win against Italian side Zebre, meet Leinster on

December 28 at the RDS in Dublin. Then on three January they welcome

the Pro12 leaders Munster to Ravenhill. This try by Jared Payne

was the highlight of Ulster's victory last weekend.

In ice hockey's Elite League, the Belfast Giants won both their

matches at the weekend. They defeated Coventry on Saturday 5-1

and 4-2 away to Dundee Stars last night. The Giants have a seven-point

lead at the top of the table on Braehead Clan. Two sides meet in a

big Christmas double bill, home and away, this Friday and Saturday.

In hockey, there are two festive finals on Boxing Day. In the men's

Kirk Cup, the home side takes on Annadale. Before that is the women's

Ulster Shield. From the Pope to President Obama to

farmers, selfies have been the craze of the year. That is when you take a

photo of yourself. We would like to see your selfies over the Christmas

holidays. Our online colleagues are going to have a look at what you

send and publish the most festive ones later in the week on the local

news website. There has already been some travel

disruption because of the stormy weather, let's get the latest

forecast. We are expecting very strong winds

over the next 24 hours. The Met office had issued a amber warning.

There will be some disruption because those winds, possibly to the

electricity network, and maybe for travel as well. As we go through

this evening, it is this area of low pressure that will swing in from the

Atlantic, bringing those very strong winds and summary on and snow during

the next under four hours. As we go through tonight, temperatures fall

to freezing and below, showers will fall as snow. Because that will be

so cold, we could expect some patches of ice first thing tomorrow

morning. Not a great start to Christmas Eve. It will be very windy

and it will be snow showers coming in from the west. Mainly on the high

ground but some lower areas will see snow as well. As it begins to heat

up a little, most of the snow will fall as rain. It will remain quite

blustery, especially in the east in the afternoon. There may be some

thunder and lightning in there as well. Temperatures just at four or

five degrees. The showers and strong winds will stay with us but into

Christmas Day itself, things begin to settle down. It will be cold and

there may be some icy stretches first thing on Christmas morning but

generally, Christmas Day will be pretty good. It will be cold but

largely dry and bright with some good spells of sunshine. No sign in

prospect of a white Christmas unfortunately but we may get one or

two flurries coming in from County Donegal. A similar picture for

Boxing Day but at the end of the week, another storm is about to hit.

What about Santa on the stormy weather?

He is well used to this! This is our last BBC Newsline

programme until the New Year although we will have news summaries

throughout the next ten days here on BBC One. We leave you this evening

with another of our Christmas carols. This one comes from the

pupils of Foyleview Special School in Londonderry. The carol is cold

Please Remember. From BBC Newsline, good evening and Happy Christmas!

# Christmas is here now,, it's fun for everyone.