25/09/2014 BBC Newsline

The First Minister Peter Robinson took a swipe

at critics within his own party today, describing them as 'lemmings'

The comments follow yesterday's chain of events

when the former health minister Edwin Poots claimed Mr Robinson was

going to stand down ahead of the next Assembly elections.

Our political correspondent Gareth Gordon reports.

This was Peter Robinson, the First Minister, on his way to

There are some people so puffed up by their own

importance, people have the strategic vision of a lemming, and

They won't take us off course, it is very clear where

the party's direction is, and the party has choices to make.

It can follow people down a road to destruction him

a division within the party, and the consequences which will be paid

Do what we said in our election commitments

of taking Northern Ireland forward, that is a clear choice.

I can't stop people from making comments,

It could be Edwin Poots who lost his job as Health Minister today

and was slapped down after saying Mr Robinson would be

Then it could be the agricultural committee boss who was left behind.

It could be a number of people, trying to whisper behind backs.

Colleagues were not so shy in what seems to be a campaign

They were joined by Mr Poots, and even used similar

Either Mr Robinson has taken a gamble of his life, by laying there

and what is going on in his party, or he has pulled off a masterstroke,

putting down a rebellion before it has begun. We will soon know.

This is him leaving a meeting this afternoon.

Perhaps he thinks he has said enough.

And the DUP finance minister Simon Hamilton will be live on The View

A memorial service for the former First Minister Ian Paisley will

The service, which will take place at the

Ulster Hall, will be broadcast live by BBC Northern Ireland.

Here's our Political Editor Mark Devenport.

Ian Paisley's funeral earlier this month was strictly private, limited

to immediate family made the Dutchman members. But the family let

it know they had planned a bigger Morrill service.

it know they had planned a bigger confirmed it will take place at

Ulster Hall at 3pm on the 19th of October. Due to the number of people

wishing to attend, the service will be by invitation only but it will be

broadcast live by the BBC. In a brief statement, Baroness Paisley

thanked the press for respecting the family's desire for privacy during

the sacred days after her husband's death.

Two houses in south Belfast has been damaged in

Racist graffiti was painted on the walls and two windows smashed

Police say the attacks were reported to them early on Wednesday morning,

but details have only just been released.

Dissident republicans in Maghaberry Prison have asked

the prison authorities to implement wide ranging changes they say will

31 prisoners aligned to the group referred to as the New IRA

want security measures relaxed and improved facilities for visits.

Our home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney reports.

Tensions and disputes between republican prisoners and the

There are currently around 50 dissident republicans being held

The majority of them are aligned to the group

The group has accused the prison service of breaking

the terms of an agreement to relax security - and have sent the

authorities a document containing a wide range of proposed changes.

The BBC has obtained a copy of the 14 page paper,

In a section dealing with security issues,

I visited Maghaberry Prison yesterday and spoke to a spokesman

for the dissident group. Harry Fitzsimons is on remand with two

other prominent dissidents. He told me the document isn't a threat or

ultimatum but an attempt to reduce conflict. He quoted from a number of

inspection reports. Those reports describe the movement of prisoners

as restricted. And the system isn't about security but about blowing the

morale. Sources close to

the prison officers association They said those held

in the dissident wing are highly dangerous, and that controls

on movement are essential. In a statement,

the Prison Service said senior staff talk to prisoners on a regular basis

to discuss a range of issues. It said a review

of the implementation of the agreement reached in August

2010, which the prisons say should have resulted in a relaxation

in security, is currently being carried out and a report is expected

at the end of this month. Golf's Ryder Cup gets under way

tomorrow morning in Scotland. In the main match world number one

Rory McIlroy partners Spain's Sergio Garcia for Europe, against Americans

Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickleson. Stephen Watson reports

from Gleneagles. A traditional Scottish welcome for

the American and European teams. Lining up for Ryder Cup battle.

A proud moment for the first ever Irish captain,

who enjoyed introducing his two of his team in particular.

From an Northern Ireland, Graeme McDowell.

Royal McElroy's Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy and McDowell won't be a double act on this occasion, as

Their determination to win tomorrow's game

against their American opponents was obvious after comments by

Phil Mickelson about McIlroy?s relationship with McDowell.

Sergio and Rory, who formed a real blonde and friendship, and respect

Sergio and Rory, who formed a real bond and friendship, and respect

for each other's games during the summer period, they are the players

and they complement each other. They enjoy each other. They'd

enjoy each other's company. It was a natural fit.

Rory McIlroy will tee off at 8:20am. Graeme Mcdowell is not in action

until the afternoon when he is expected to partner the French debit

on it, Victor Dubuisson. -- French debutant.

Much milder today, temperatures in the 20s, and we have had a lot of

cloud. And a weather front moving in, introducing some rain. The

isobars, that is indicative of quite a dusty wind picking up is that

weather front approaches and moves through. It brings Marat -- narrow

band of rain. Clearing away tomorrow morning. Still fairly mild.

Tomorrow, a much more promising day on offer, a much brighter day. The

dusty wind will ease, but there will be a breeze around the coast, but a

very different start the day compared to this morning. Writer

with decent spells of sunshine. Across Scotland, a bright day but

strong winds with sharp showers in the north-west. Lighter winds across

the Republic of Ireland. In the meantime, the overnight weather

front moves across Wales, northern England and into the central parts

of England. Generally, it is dry and right and warm. Fresher to the north

of that weather front. That is the case for us tomorrow afternoon.

There will be some sunshine, quite pleasant, but it will feel fresher

with highs of its 15 to 16. Into the weekend, apart from the odd shower,

it is mainly dry. That is it for now. Keep up-to-date

with the news online and follow this programme on Facebook and Twitter.

From all of us, goodbye.