04/01/2016 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline.

Under pressure, emergency departments struggle to cope

as people are urged to go only if it's urgent.

at this block of flats in North Belfast.

how life goes on in the face of the floods.

It is a big year for football. Northern Ireland and the Republic

are preparing for the Euro finals but who will our politicians be

supporting? There's no time for Ulster's rugby

players to dwell on defeat to Munster as they

refocus on Europe. And we start the new week

with further warnings of rain, but not as bad as it

has been recently. A New Year with the same

old problems in local hospitals. The pressure is once again

on emergency departments. Just two days into 2016 and health

chiefs had to issue a plea to the public to use units

only if their condition was urgent. The biggest difficulties

were at the Ulster Hospital, where there was a 25% rise

in emergency department patients. every year more people go through

the doors of our emergency departments. It looks like 2016 will

be no exception. At the weekend a surgeon -- surge in numbers prompted

the health and social care board to issue a public plea. It said all

emergency departments were under a high level of pressure. People

should not attend unless the symptoms were urgent or

life-threatening. Here at the Ulster Hospital the situation was described

as extreme. 25% more attendances than an average Saturday. But those

working on the front lines in the situation was exacerbated by a lack

of beds. That puts pressure on us, particularly the nursing staff.

Patients waiting for long periods of time without a bed, it detract from

the nursing staff and medical staff from providing care and will

ultimately eat up the number of cubicles available to see patients.

This evening around 17 patients are waiting in the Ulster emergency

department for a bed. The problem is, some of those beds cannot be

freed up until nursing home places or care packages are arranged.

Discharge delays right across Northern Ireland is an issue

highlighted in figures obtained by an MLA which showed the numbers

waiting over eight weeks for a care package. I knew there was a

significant problem but I didn't know the scale, was that bad, right

across the North, people waiting to get home with care packages. On

occasion, the delay can be because there is something no nursing home

or residential home bed available. On other occasions it can be because

it is not possible to secure a domiciliary care package that is

appropriate and in the circumstances, there can be

blockages. Which will feed through eventually to delays at the front

door of the hospital. The winter pressures experienced here and at

other a handy departments are nothing new, but with no cold snap

so far this winter, it is possible more pressure could come to bear in

the days and weeks ahead. The challenge for those in charge is

meeting that need. Later in the programme we'll focus

again on the budget pressures facing health, as well as the pounds

in your pocket in 2016. And we look ahead to

the big political events A man's been in court charged with

attempted murder in North Belfast. A 24-year-old man was attacked

in a flat at Mount Vernon last week. The injured man's mother

faces the same charge. Matthew Lawrence said fundamental

are in Mount Vernon. One blow was so severe it is said to have caused his

ear to explode. He remains critically ill at the Royal Victoria

Hospital. The mother of the 24-year-old, Julie Larson, appeared

in court on New Year's Eve charged with attempting to murder him. This

morning, 29-year-old Ryan Taylor from Belfast was also charged with

attentive murder. Remaining silent throughout the hearing he listened

to the charges read out to him. He was also charged with one count of

grievous bodily harm, two of threats to kill, he is due to appear again

by video link next month. A 75-year-old woman has died following

a crash between two cars on to between Bangor and Hollywood. A man

driving a second car was also taken to hospital and his injuries are not

life-threatening. The road is closed while the police investigate the

crash, which happened at Coney Hill at around 2pm this afternoon. There

are long tailbacks and traffic diversions.

Two months ago, Maghaberry Jail was labelled

Today, a team of inspectors has returned to the high security prison

near Lisburn to assess what improvements have been made

Our home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney reports.

Maghaberry Jail was built to hold Northern Ireland's most dangerous

criminals, but two months ago the prison itself was described as a

dangerous place. We inspect about 40 prisons a year and I have been doing

it for five years. This is the most dangerous prison I have been into,

throughout my time as Chief Inspector. This inspection of

Maghaberry Prison carried out in May 2015 was undoubtedly the most

concerning all the reports published to date of any local prison.

It was said Maghaberry Prison a state of crisis. The inspectors say

they have real concerns that failures to identify were not

addressed as a shoot off issue there could be serious disorder or loss of

life. In an unprecedented move, they went back to the prison the months

to check on progress. The new Governor took over in

August, three months after the last inspection was carried out. A week

after the inspection report was published, he said he was confident

the next one would be much more positive. I am confident that the

inspection team will see a different Maghaberry Jail a safer Maghaberry

Jail a cleaner Maghaberry Prison ain't Maghaberry Jail has better

resources usefully employed,. That team that -- that his is now being

put to the test. They have spent two weeks assessing what progress has

been made and they hope to publish the findings before May. The report

published two months ago was so bad, there is a real sense that things

can only get better. The Department of Justice and the Prison Service

both insist that is the case. They say they have been dramatic

improvements at the jail since the last time inspectors paid a visit.

They will be hoping inspectors agree.

Christmas may be over but tourist chiefs still wants us to eat,

drink and be merry - find out why later in the programme.

We start a new week with yet more weather warnings for rain.

Details from Barra Best on that later in the programme.

There is still flooding in some rural areas,

but nearly all travel services are back to normal

That certainly isn't the case in parts of the Republic,

where people are still trying to recover from the storm

Taking the plunge after four weeks of flooding, this is in County

Fermanagh, the woman driving the car has three children and says she has

no choice but to risk leaving her house. In recent days she has been

forced to buy a new car and a dinky, just to continue with daily life.

Although you cannot see it in the video, there is a big drain. The

lane is only the width of the car. If you go off the road, what next?

You can see the Jeep is nearly floating. It worries me, but at the

end of the day the bills are still coming in and have to be paid. Over

the weekend, dozens of roads were closed and some train services were

affected. Today, almost everything was operating as normal. We are

aware that a number of roads have been flooded, particularly around

Fermanagh. We have staff on stand-by 24 hours a day to deal with flooding

incidents and we have been doing that over the past few days. The

situation off the roads is proving difficult for some. This was just

outside Lisburn this afternoon. Vehicles are struggling in the

soaking fields. While this cemetery in East Belfast was forced to close

early because of flooding. The heavy rainfall is causing problems here.

But it is nothing like in some parts of the Republic. In recent days,

more than 260 homes have been flooded and more are at risk. Today,

the Irish President visited some of the worst affected areas. More rain

is forecast this week and services on both sides of the border will

remain on stand-by over the coming days.

We heard about pressures on the health budget earlier,

but it won't be the only department having to make

To look ahead to what 2016 may bring, with me is

our economics and business editor John Campbell

and our political editor Mark Devenport.

John, health is the biggest part of the budget, Hotak is a? Just before

Christmas the Executive agreed budget, or other Sinn Fein and the

DUP ministers agreed, they are dealing with an environment in which

the amount of money they are getting from Westminster is falling so that

makes things difficult. But they have decided to again protect health

and in the coming year the health budget will rise by 1% in real

terms. So there is more money going into the Health Service. But we need

to put that in context because a few years ago there was a report

prepared for the health board which said that because we live in an

ageing society, older people have more competent medical needs, the

amount of money going to the Health Service needs to increase by 1.5%

every year just to keep pace with that. So that gives us an idea of

how even though spending is increasing, the Health Service will

still find itself under pressure. Mark, politicians are also preparing

for elections and we have a couple in the first half of 2016? Yes, we

have an election on both sides of the border, we expect probably the

southern election in February and we have our own election due in May.

While the politicians will no doubt be wanting to show they are tackling

big issues like health and the economy, they don't have a lot of

time and minds will be on that election, which will be a big

challenge for Arlene Foster, who takes over as First Minister next

week, and also a big challenge for the new SDLP leader, in terms of how

his party reforms. I expect the bigger parties will be selling hard

there are documents saying they are heading in the right direction but

the other parties will be saying this is not as good as it gets.

Obviously, with money tight, it will be harder for the big parties to

throw a lot of money around to try to buy any favours with the

electorate. Looking back at last year and the economy, falling oil

prices, that played quite a bit on our economy, what was the local

impact? It was massive. Thinking about what has been happening to oil

prices, really collapsing for the past 18 months, in the last year,

they fell more than 30%. More than anything, that was the thing would

make a difference to most household budgets. If you're spending less on

filling your car heating your home, you have more money to spend on

other things. Consumers were probably in a bit of a sweet spot at

the end of last year because as well as falling oil

Belfast City Council votes tomorrow night on whether to invite

the Republic of Ireland football team to a reception

marking qualification to the Euro finals this summer.

It would be a joint event with the Northern Ireland team.

With some politicians against the Republic's inclusion,

BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson has been looking at the planned event.

Should Northern Ireland and the Republic both be invited to Belfast

City Hall for a fond farewell before going to the Euro finals? Sinn Fein

say yes. The reality of this city is that people have an allegiance to

Ireland in its entirety, other people do not and that is fair

enough. The double reception was proposed at the Council by the SDLP

at the end of last year. Belfast is supposed to be open for everybody.

That is what we are trying to achieve. The final vote on the

double invite will take place at a council meeting tomorrow night.

Unionists say they will be voting no. Belfast City Council has already

held a very successful reception for the Northern Ireland team in

November, this was well attended by the entire squad. And the coaches

and management. The no holds and other civic reception just takes

away from that original event, makes us look disorganised. But what about

the football? Regardless of what happens over the civic reception

tomorrow night, will cancel those be cheering for both teams? Unless they

play Northern Ireland I will support all teams from the British Isles and

wish them well. Including the Republic? I will support them in

matches and hubby do well, yes. Will you be supporting Northern Ireland

at Euro? I do wish them every success. Northern Ireland is my team

but that is there enough! I will support both of them. In football

terms, at times like a score draw. -- that sounds like.

This January marks the start of Northern Ireland's

A combination of agencies and officials are behind the initiative.

They accept while it may not increase the number of visitors

coming here, those who do will spend more.

Our business correspondent Julian O'Neill reports.

Saint George putt in Belfast is the premises for many Artisan food

businesses providing a showcase for local produce on a grand scale. It

is now part of the tourism trail, a food and a tour begins here and

visitor interest is growing. A lot of tourists coming in, really, they

are just intrigued by what Belfast and Northern Ireland has to offer.

It is unique and different, where else will you get the Bramley apple

and block nee Il? Established brands are also been incorporated into a

theme year of marketing and events. Tourism officials accept while a

food and drink campaign may not have a huge impact on visitor numbers, it

can dry up spending. I do not think it is the sole purpose to come to

any destination with the exception of perhaps San Sebastian or

somewhere like that in Spain, but it is a critical element of the

experience and about one third of people's spending is on food and

drink. Previously Northern Ireland's tourism has had big events to help

attract visitors. But not so in 2016. Titanic Belfast was the

centrepiece of the 2012 tourism year, with a multi-million pound

promotional budget. Four years on and with austerity pegging public

spending, tourism Northern Ireland has just ?300,000 to assist events

connected with 2016. Stephen Watson is here

with the sports news, and Ulster's rugby players had

a disappointing start After winning four games in a row,

including victory over Connacht on Boxing Day, Ulster stumbled

in their second They lost 9-7 to Munster,

but the coach says he knows how to fix the problems ahead

of their next big game. Ulster travel to Oyonnax

in France this weekend in the European Champions Cup,

trying to bounce back A New Year derby, the same old

rivalry but a new record for one star player. Andrew Trimble mark his

200th appearance with a crunching try saving tackle. Oster battered

the Munster defence. Here, there was no way through for Luke Marshall.

But Ulster eventually got their noses in front with a try. To

deservedly be 7-3 at half-time. The home side probably should have been

further in front and Munster made them pay. The two excellent kicks

propelled the visitors for a first win in six matches. Ulster did have

a couple of penalties to snatch victory... But it was not to be.

Today was not a performance that was up to the level we expect of

ourselves. I think it is obvious that game that the solutions are

clear to us in the dressing room. We know what to work on and they have

three European games in our favour. Hopefully, we can write those wrong

is. You cannot let the game disrupt our whole season. We believe in the

way we have been playing and I think we are conscious of that and we have

to move on and step it up for the rest of the season.

The Gaelic football year got under way yesterday

with the Bank Of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup.

In the opening round there were wins for Tyrone,

Donegal, Cavan and UUJ, while Derry ran out comfortable

victors in front of their new manager at home to Antrim.

The new manager knows he will be judged on success in the

championship rather than wins in January. But there were still plenty

of positives for him to take from this victory. The opening goal just

five minutes into the contest. Then the home side took control. McCann

made an impressive return, making his mark with goals either side of

half-time. But Antrim were well beaten by a ten point margin. It was

very strong, we knew it was good to be tough. Hopefully we will improve.

It doesn't matter what time of year it is, it is a competitive fixture.

It is a positive, it gives us something to reflect on during the

week. Derry will now focus on a sterner test against Tyrone on

Sunday. The Belfast Giants are back up

to second place in the Elite League table after winning seven

of their eight games in a busy programme over the Christmas

and New Year period. They finished off an encouraging

series of results with back-to-back wins against the Coventry Blaze,

including an impressive 6-3 victory The consistent run means the Giants

have made big ground on all their title rivals,

who all dropped points. Paralympic gold medal swimmer

Bethany Firth will compete for Great Britain for

the first time in April. She has been selected

for the team going to the IPC European Open Championships

in Madeira. She won a gold in London 2012

representing Team Ireland but has now switched to GB and,

after battling back from injury, I spent all of 2015 training, to

compete for my first in the GB and I was really up for it and very

determined. Not being able to compete made me upset but it has

been a more determined to come back fighting and show I am here that I

want to do them proud. I just want to get better and better because I

know my competitors will be doing the same. I want to be the best in

the world. It only took a few days

of the New Year for Northern Ireland to produce some more

golfing success. 12-year-old Tom McKibbin won

the Junior Honda Classic in Florida. Last year Tom won the World Kids

Championship at Pinehurst, and proudly brought the trophy

straight here to BBC Broadcasting House to show

us on BBC Newsline. And among the first to send his

congratulations was Rory McIlroy, who of course won the main

Honda Classic a few years ago. A star of the future! In fact, a

star right now. Our congratulations to Tom.

The latest weather forecast is next, with Barra Best.

I will not congratulate you, but it has been so depressing!

We have had low pressure systems lined up and there is more of that

to come. This evening, a weather warning for rain remains in force it

through until midnight for every county with the exception of

Fermanagh but even there they will be the odd shower. Largely focused

across the East Coast, so we could see some further destruction over

night. Temperatures tonight five to six. Not especially Chile and no

frost tomorrow, but it will stay quite unsettled. We will see more

scattered showers coming in from the Irish Sea, again most likely across

Antrim, down and think to -- into part Armagh. There are no warnings

in force but there may be some further destruction, especially for

drivers with surface spray and maybe flooding. Further West, a drier

picture with sunshine, perhaps coming across Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Even here, the odd scattered showers possible. Temperatures of 67.

Tomorrow, the low-pressure system affecting much of Britain and

Ireland. -- averages of six to seven. Across Ireland by the middle

of the afternoon, plenty of dry weather, even sunshine. The West

Coast will continue to seek showers coming in, along with a gusty

easterly wind. Some blustery conditions for parts of Antrim and

County Down. Some good news for the evening, the tap will be turned off

and it will turn much drier, it will also be quite chilly. Some rural

areas could see temperatures falling to as low as -2 or even minus three.

Some frost or possibly icy stretches and also some fog on Wednesday. Not

a great start but at least it will be dry and we expect some sunshine.

Largely dry for most of the day, but then the rain will push up again

from the South. Some will be heavy and persistent, and already we have

a weather warning in force for that. Further destruction is likely. That

will clear eventually, Thursday and Friday, better days, colder and

pressure but also brighter. You can also keep in contact with us

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