13/08/2014 BBC Newsline

This is BBC Newsline. Tonight's top stories...

Taxing times for car owners, as glitches in the system

leave some motorists unable to licence their vehicles.

I want to pay my money but they do not seem to want it. What can you

do? Should George Galloway be able to speak at the Ulster Hall. The

Democratic Unionist party say no. There are calls for criminal charges

to be brought against care homes Unemployment falls again,

but how sustainable is the recovery Londonderry gets ready for the

return of the Walled City Tattoo. Can Ireland's women make it

to the final of the Rugby World Cup After rain tonight, showers are in

the forecast again for tomorrow. It is a bright start to Thursday,

before rain returns through the afternoon, with highs

with highs of 17 Celsius. It has now been a month since the

Driver and Vehicle Agency closed here. The service for taxing your

car or getting a driving licence is now based at the DVLA in Swansea,

but some people have been having difficulties in getting

documentation for their vehicles, especially when it comes

to paying car tax. This is the way it used to be. The

headquarters she had the responsibility to issuing tax discs

for cars, a pre-requisite for driving on the road. The system has

now been transferred to Swansea and some people have been having

problems. He tried to taxes than at the post office but he was said he

would have to contact the office and Swansea. You used to be able to get

all these things at the post office. It should just be a matter of, bang

bang, the is your tax disc. You have to go there and back again. It is

time consuming. It should be straightforward. Obviously, if

you're trying to tax your car, it is going to be frustrating, but what if

your business is selling cars, what if you have to a lot of fun? We tax

on average 40 vehicles a month. A percentage of those will be done,

but the problem arises when the problem arises when there is a

charge transferor. All the stuff is now going to Swansea and it is

taking longer. There are major hold-ups now for us, for when we

want to send the paperwork away. Other businesses have also felt the

change. I thought when it went to Swansea would go online and become

more efficient. But it appears to be a disaster, that is the only way to

describe it. In a statement, the company said:

Of course, all this comes after 100 job losses in Northern Ireland.

Of course, all this comes after 100 very frustrated and furious at them.

The new for the problems would be like. The should have been flagged

up straightaway. This has all worked against the transfer of the service

from Northern Ireland. There was meant to be devolution of taxing in

Northern Ireland, but they do not follow up with that. These problems

Northern Ireland, but they do not will be worked through the system,

but in the meantime, many people have been left with the frustration

of not knowing whether the vehicle is a road legal.

Belfast City Council is taking legal advice over an event

due to take place at the Ulster Hall,

hosted by the Bradford West MP, George Galloway

The DUP has called for next week's event to be cancelled,

because of anti-Israeli remarks made recently by Mr Galloway.

He is known for being outspoken and controversial, that the Democratic

Unionist party say George Galloway went too far in a recent speech. We

declare Bradford and his real free zone. We do not want any Israeli

services, any Israeli academics coming to the university or college,

we do not want any Israeli tourists. Next week, he is due to

speak in Belfast that the Ulster Hall. The party says his views are

so extremely could damage party relations. In a radio interview, the

MP had back. To be lectured by the Democratic University -- Unionist

party is a bit like being criticised by the hunchback of Notre Dame.

We're not interested in his abusive replies. We do not want his views

being expressed any control facility. The situation in the

Middle East has caused tension in Belfast. This blue plaque used to be

on the wall, but after a number of recent attacks, it has had to be

moved. She was the Israeli president for ten years, but his roots were in

north Belfast. In more recent years, the Sinn Fein councillor lived in

the house. He has no supporter of Israel, but thinks the blue plaque

should have been allowed to stay. Disappointed. Regardless of what

your politics are, this is her story. I can understand people who

are protesting about the issue and get frustrated, but there are better

ways to go about it. Under George Galloway event, Sinn Fein see it

should be allowed to go ahead. Unions want Belfast City Council to

cancel it. The council say they are taking legal advice. The event is

billed as a laid-back discussion, entitled Saturday night with George

Galloway and is supposed to take place a week on Saturday.

Just before we came on air, I spoke to George Galloway.

I asked him if his comments were as extreme as those he is accused

I am not as extreme as the Democratic Unionist party, which

recently backed a pastor who has been preaching hate about Muslims.

The idea I could be accused of being extreme by them is frankly

ridiculous. But you have demonised and rejected an entire country. I am

entirely against the claims of the state of Israel. 95% of Israelis

have consistently supported the attack and I do not want anything to

do with that 95%. The 4% who opposed it, on the other hand, would be

welcome as he was in my constituency. You must know that

people on both sides of the argument in Northern Ireland very often going

to be polarised state, so I not inciting problems here? I am not

sure what your peace process has to do with that. You will know that

Unionist and Republicans tend to go in opposing sides with regard to the

Middle East conflict. Last time I was here, Belfast was part of the

United Kingdom. I am a member of the British Parliament. I am entitled to

go anywhere I like in this United Kingdom and they will. I have a

signed and sealed contract with the Ulster Hall. Money has changed

hands, a great deal of expenditure has been made and a great deal of

tickets have been sold. I will be there. I will be at the Ulster Hall

a week on Saturday and I expect to have the fuel hose, which will

vindicate that there are 1000 people at least in the Northern Ireland

wanting to hear what I have to say. Is about publicity money? I am not

short of publicity. I am marketing my book. I know the BBC does not

have to worry about that because the public be your wages and pay for

your operation, but the rest of us have to work. Israelis and

Palestinians working in Northern Ireland say they already feel

vulnerable. I do not worry this event will increase the tension

here? You a flake in a dead horse here. Many Israelis live in Northern

Ireland? If they support the murdered a massacre we have all

witnessed, frankly, I would not want anything to do with them. George

Galloway speaking to me earlier. Criminal charges should be brought

against owners of care homes who repeatedly fail to meet basic

standards, according to the Commissioner for Older People.

Her office is due to make recommendations to the health

minister about how the system can be overhauled.

It follows highly-critical reports into several homes here, which have

been highlighted by the BBC. For John, the current focus on

nothing homes comes too late. His mother died following years in care.

No one ever listen. In the day rooms, my mother was sitting there

and almost looked imprisonment. She seemed so vulnerable. In a series of

critical reports, the BBC report that many nursing homes are feeling

and basic year. This county and struck and some nursing home had the

lead lasted on it and that of the system. I was disgusted at the level

of care and abuse. For over eight years, a damning catalogue of

problems where brought up. Oh people had to put up with levels of care

and levels of abuse that the system should be ashamed of. They want the

regulators to act more swiftly with problems. They want more riposte

action taken and called for criminal charges to be imposed if regulators

feel to come up with the terms of the remote. We want a clear and

unequivocal response. We will need conversations with the Department of

Health and the boards and he trusts. We are fully committed to doing

that. I think that will bring changes in the fullness of time.

that. I think that will bring Whistle-blowers have welcomed the

prospect of an independent helpline for staff. They should be able to

trust the system. There can be no victimisation of the whistle-blower

trust the system. There can be no their career could be destroyed

after wards. Families and charities welcome that the recommendations

regarding care homes will also require to be imposed for

Coming up on BBC Newsline, Londonderry gets ready for the

for the return of the Walled City Tattoo.

The car and home of the partner of a former Loyalist prisoner has been

attacked, in an overnight arson attack. John Howcroft is the local

representative of the UPRG, the political group linked to the UDA.

He was asleep when the car and front door of the house were set alight.

It happened during the early hours in Alliance Road.

These are people determined to drag us back into the dark days. We have

made significant progress in north Belfast. But it is moving on, it is

a community moving on, but these are people who want to drag us back for

their own purposes. The job market is continuing to

improve, according to the latest official figures.

They show that unemployment fell for the 19th month in a row in July.

Let us go to our Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell.

Is this an indication that the local We have seen the labour market

making a sustained recovery. Things moved up a gear in July. The number

of people claiming unemployment benefit fell by 1400, the biggest

fall since October 1999. It is the fault of 0.5% over the

past three months. All the indicators are that we're moving in

the right direction. Is this sustainable in the long term? I

think this is a big issue over the next couple of years. Things will be

related to the public sector. It grew during the good times. But it

is losing people, losing jobs. The private sector will have to take up

the slack. But it just matters how long the private sector can actually

create jobs. We will see the private sector can actually create jobs. We

will see their rates more difficult to see in the long term. It is still

high with regard to the rest of the United Kingdom, the youth

unemployment. Is that still the case? Yes, one in five is still

looking for jobs, compared to the beat in eight in the United Kingdom.

There are other figures. The number of people signing on, almost half of

these were people aged 18-25 two indicates things are very tough out

there for people still. Firefighters have brought under

control a blaze close to the Shankill Road in Belfast.

Eight derelict houses went on fire in Glenwood Street, sending smoke

billowing through the area. The fire and rescue service

and local politicians believe Contractors have been working to

make safe a building in Lurgan, amid fears that it could collapse onto a

major road into the town. William Street has been closed since

yesterday, after members of the public noticed part of the building

leaning forwards. Several shops and offices were

forced to close. Among those affected was an SDLP

MLA, whose constituency office is on that street.

She said the building had been a People passing by did notice the

building wavering and the reported at to the environmental services and

police. There are difficulties in that building, as it is with any

conservation area. It would need planning permission for complete

demolition, so at this stage, as I understand, they are taking down the

most dangerous part of the building, but I think the building itself

should be completely demolished. It was one of the highlights of the

UK City of Culture year in Londonderry.

The Walled City Tattoo attracted thousands into Ebrington Square and,

later this month, it i returning to the venue.

As Keiron Tourish has been finding out, it is giving young performers

the chance to take part in the Almost 600 performers will be taking

part in this year Walled City Tattoo 's. They are making sure every step

is timed to perfection. A number of new events are being showcased at

the event. I trained in modern dance, so this is a great

opportunity to perform, free of it is not traditional. Last year 's

tattoo was stage as part of the UK city of culture celebrations. Part

of the focus was on the area 's rich social history. Local and

international acts took to the outdoor arena, to perform for 14,000

people in a unique production. This year, again, dancers aged 5-18 will

get the chance to shine. I have been dancing for 12 years. I have never

danced that this event before, so I do not know what to expect, but so

far so good. I get to meet other people won't get to learn about

different cultures. There are these events worldwide,

the biggest of these obviously being in Edinburgh. Our one is unique in

the fact that it does attract so many different cultures. The main

impact it has is that the cultures within Ireland themselves come

together. After the success of last years event the organisers no hope

to make it an annual event. If only good weather could be guaranteed.

Ireland's women have been trying to earn a place in the rugby world cup

final this afternoon. Stephen is here. How did they get on?

Earlier in the tournament, Ireland defeated the might New Zealand, but

it has been heartbreak today in Paris.

Playing in their first-ever Rugby World Cup semifinal,

They lost by 40-7. The game has just finished. The Irish team have

exceeded all expectations. They could hardly have asked for a better

start. After consulting the video referee,

they were awarded a try. It is a drive for Ireland. After the

conversion, it drew them seven points ahead. But the English bank

soon after. Sustained pressure led to Michelle Clarke going over and

within three minutes, they had crossed the line once again.

As England get ready for a World Cup final, Ireland must pick themselves

up and prepare for a third-place play-off.

No joy for Ireland?s rugby women, but in the World Rally Championship,

Northern Ireland has a driver taking the sport by storm.

Kris Meeke finished on the podium at the Rally of Finland, after an

outstanding performance. He joins me in the studio.

Finland is the home of rallying, so can you put it in perspective

Finland is the home of rallying, so performance was? It is the spiritual

home of the sport. A lot of drivers have been judged over the years on

their performances they It was my first event the last year

and it was good to great on the, so that made a massive difference.

Watching this footage, it is incredible pace that you get, it

must take serious concentration to drive in a constricted space like

that? Yes, this rally is four days long and 350 kilometres long. As you

can see, this stealing wheel does not tend to work when you are in

Medea. Your season has gone particularly well, but this was your

best performance. You drive in all sorts of conditions, even sleet snow

here. Yes, the season started well in Monte Carlo for me. But as you

say, the beauty of the championships is the diversity of it. We are in

hot gravel, peace, slush, mod, the next minute we could be in the

vineyards. There is real variety. The next thing to do is to win a

round of the World Championship. I said when I was a few at the

beginning of the year after the Carlo Rally, the step-by-step

experiences or important in the championship. I am still learning.

Finland was the next help. We only finished a handful of seconds from

the lead. I think we have a few more rallies to do before we are ready

for that, but we should get there. Rory McIlroy is dominating the

headlines in golf at the world level, could you put yourself up

there? I would not be doing it if I did not think I could do it. I have

the desire to do that. I am just grateful I have this opportunity to

realise that potential and get a drive in the world Rally

championship. A result like that will really boys me up. I know

you're not off the norm, like the golfers. It is good to see you.

In local football, there is a full programme of Irish League matches

tonight. Irish Premiership champions

Cliftonville take on Portadown tonight at Shamrock Park.

Portadown will be buoyed by their performance on the opening day of

the season, when they beat Linfield 3-0. And it does not get any easier

for new Linfield manager Warren Feeney tonight, as his team takes on

Glentoran who drew with Cliftonville last weekend.

The Glentoran manager is looking forward to a big Belfast derby.

We cant wait to try and get a few points on the board. Needless to

say, they will be wanting to do the same. It is a massive game for both

clubs very early in the season. Armagh Gaelic football manager Paul

Grimley has stepped down from his role after two years in charge.

Grimley's side were knocked out of the All-Ireland Championship by

Donegal at the weekend. It is expected that All-Ireland

winning captain Kieran McGeeney will road race got underway today.

Guy Martin was quickest in the Superbike class at Dundrod.

We will be live from the Ulster I am almost scared to ask! It will

not be that Shelly tonight. The skies start to cloud over tonight

and then we will see this band of rain sinking slowly south across the

country overnight. As we head into Thursday, showers and a forecast. It

has been a bit of a constant over the last few days. This is the

picture of you will wake up to. Not a bad morning. Try and break for

much of the country. Into the afternoon, the showers start to work

the rear and once again. Not terribly warm, with the good breeze

holding temperatures down to 16 or 17 Celsius. The South and East may

escape much of that rain during the course of tomorrow. This sets us up

for a reasonable day on Friday. A drier and blatantly, but a little on

the cold side. Behind it we get this ridge of high pressure pushing. It

is not strong enough to give us full protection, but it does brighten

things up on Friday. The odd shower here in the, but not a bad day. The

bodies still owe to the north-west and that will keep these

temperatures down, to highs of 15-17 Celsius. For the middle of August,

Saturday is looking the best day of the weekend. Temperatures rising. It

is the middle of August, but these numbers do not reflect that. But at

least it is staying dry towards the end of the weekend.

Our late summary is at 10.25pm. You can also keep in contact with us via

Facebook and Twitter. From BBC Newsline, goodnight.

Look up to the lights and wait for the signal that says...go!

..for the fastest road race in the world.