12/01/2016 BBC Newsline

and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

Good evening. The headlines on BBC Newsline:

on Arlene Foster's first full day as First Minister.

Edwin Poots under fire for saying his leader's most important job

The newly refurbished Dublin trains are off the rails

into the body that oversees teaching standards.

after 50 fines a day are issued to motorists.

The first domestic football trophy. 9 County Antrim Shield at Ballymena

Park. An one of the coldest nights of winter so far. I'll have your

full forecast shortly. On her first full day

as the First Minister, Arlene Foster has completed her

party's ministerial team. She has appointed Mervyn Storey

to her old job in charge of the Department

of Finance and Personnel. Mr Storey was previously

the minister for social development. That role is being filled

by the DUP's chairman Lord Morrow. Here's our political

correspondent Chris Page. The first engagement for the new

First Minister. At Park primary school in Lisburn, the well wishes

continued. We made you a card to wish you good luck in your new job.

Lovely, thank you very much. I think that's a brilliant drawing of me.

Much better than some of the cartoons I see in the newspapers.

Much, much better. Then Mrs Foster had her first Question Time from P 7

pupils. ALL: Good morning Mrs Foster. She

was quizzed about the transfer test and her own school days. But what

MLA would she bring in to face minute material Question Time in the

Assembly. Her old post of finance minister was vacant. Later

shafternoon she announced who would take over, Mervyn storey. He will

steer through the budget for the upcoming year. This year Northern

Ireland begins with a considerable amount of hope. We need to see an

implementation of budget. Challenging as that is, it needs to

give to the financial structures of Northern Ireland, that stability

they need. Mr Storey moves from the department of social development.

His successor is Lord Morrow. It's like back to the future. Things have

moved on but it is some 14 years since I was in social development.

He's a close ally of Mrs Foster. It was a day of more congratulations

for people in power. But the ministers will not be in the jobs

for very long. After the elections in May, the biggest parties will

pick their ministries in the new Stormont Executive.

Away from the Assembly business today a row erupted over comments

made by the DUP Assembly Member Edwin Poots

about the First Minister's appointment.

He described Mrs Foster's new role as her second most important job

but Mr Poots maintains he was misunderstood.

Arlene Foster and her mum Georgina Kelly as she became First Minister

at Stormont yesterday. It was comments made in the Assembly

chamber shortly after her appointment which have caused

concern. Congratulating Arline on her elevation to First Minister.

That's the second most important job she will ever take on. Her most

important job has been and will remain that of wife, mother and

daughter. Family will always come first. I know that will be the case

with Arline and should be the case. -- Arline. That part of the speech

was described as sexist and patronising. But Mrs Foster brushed

aside the criticism. Some of the media questions yesterday wouldn't

be asked of a man. I'm focussing on the job ahead, what I need to do. I

am a mum, daughter, a wife. That's part of who I am. But I'm doing a

job to lead Northern Ireland now. That's where my focus is. Others

weren't so quick to ignore them. A woman to take on this role on the

very first day to have those statements said about them, I think

there is no way a man would ever have things like that said to them.

I think once again, it proves Northern Ireland is not a place for

women to get involved in politics. During a radio interview today Mr

Poolingts attracted further criticism when he accused a fellow

guest of getting involved in feminine clap trap. When I was

Health Minister, I always said the most important job I had was my

family. My wife and my children. And my father. Health would always take

second place to that. If I don't do things right at home, I will I'll

not be able to do things right in work. We've fewer women in elected

office in any part of the UK or Ireland. Arlene Foster's appointment

could be seen as the exception rather than the rule. Critics of

Edds win Poots says it will do little to encourage other women into

politics. Just two months after being

introduced, the first of the new Enterprise

trains has been withdrawn A convicted child killer, Robert

Black, who murdered the schoolgirl Jennifer Cardy in 1981, has died

in Maghaberry prison. The Prison Service has informed the

police and the prisoner ombudsman of the death, although it isn't

being treated as suspicious. A spokesperson said it would not

be appropriate to comment further Jennifer Cardy was nine and had been

cycling to a friend's house near her home in Ballinderry

when the Scottish man abducted her. Just two months after being

introduced, the first of the new Enterprise

trains has been withdrawn passenger doors on the train opened

unexpectedly while it was moving. that's led to the safety licence

in the Republic being suspended. They cost over ?12 million, mostly

European money. Four Enterprise trains have been refurbished doo due

to run between Belfast and Dublin from February. The first started in

November. On two occasions, passenger doors opened without

obvious reason. In December and last week while passing through north

Dublin. Now the safety railway commission in Dublin has issued a

prohibition notice for the trains. Three of new trains are in their

commissioning and testing phase. Since the prohibition notice the

fourth has been languishing here at the depot whilst engineers try to

work out what's causing the problem with the doors. In a statement

translink says: Meanwhile, no Enterprise trains are

running. Translink is carrying out a technical review with specialist

doctor contractors. One union officer fears the service could

ultimately be delayed. We had numerous meets with this company. We

agreed to agency coming in. We did away with the demarcation. We agreed

to all sorts of flexibility and all sorts of overtime. And still they

couldn't get it done. The railway safety commission is reviewing a

submission from Translink about redue viewing the door situation.

The body that registers teachers in Northern Ireland

The General Teaching Council has been made the subject of what are

called "special measures" by the Department of Education.

The department has told our Education Correspondent

there are "ongoing issues" with the organisation.

This exclusive report from Robbie Meredith.

The general teaching council is responsible for registering all

teachers here. It also decides if they are fit to keep their jobs. Is

it up to the mark? It is based here in Belfast City centre. It has 19

staff and a 33 member council. An independent review conducted last

year identified a lack of communication and a lack of trust

between some council members and management. Now the department is

putting the body under close inspection. We have been engaging

with the GTC over the last couple of months over those issues of concern.

We want to ensure it functions efficiently and effectively. And

their services are there and available to the teaching

profession. A letter from the department says a number of special

measures will be introduced immediately to address governance

and staffing issues. These include monthly meeting between the chair

and Reg strayer. And all future GTC council meetings have officials

present. They pay an annual fee of ?44 for this. The GTC in a way is

trying to present itself as the voice of teachers. But the actual

teachers' voice isn't being heard. I think the department are fed up with

what they see going on. Fed up with about a million of teachers' money

being wasted. Teachers do not see value for what they are getting for

their ?44. There are also a number of ongoing internal grievances with

GTC staff. In a statement, she welcomed more frequent meetings with

the department. It's a washout but these pupils make

the best of a flooded football pitch. .

A police officer was warned today he could . be jailed for allegedly

approaching a senior judge and threatening to arrest him.

Lord Justice Gillen told Thomas Anthony Carlin his actions at

a court hearing in Belfast amounted to prima facie contempt of court.

43-year-old Thomas Anthony Carlin was representing himself against is

San #257beder. He got up to move towards the bench claiming he was

going to arrest the judge. Security around courtroom staff intervened

and he was taken away. He was brought bought amid a heavy police

present. The judge warned him any further incidence would see him

arrested. Lord Justice Gillen told Mr Carlin he was being granted legal

aid to secure a lawyer. He said Mr Carlin had abused his position as a

police officer and would have the opportunity to apologise to the

court and explain his behaviour later this week. The PSNI says the

matter's been referred to the police ombudsman.

Junior doctors in Northern Ireland want the health minister to rule out

the introduction of the new employment contract

that's at the centre of a 24-hour strike in England today.

The government's plan to impose the contract there

has led to the postponement of thousands of operations.

David Maxwell has been speaking to local medics.

Katherine Williamson's worked in general Mez sin for five years. Like

many junior doctors here she had one eye on England today where a new

contract is being proposed. It includes an 11% pay rise but there

are concerns over pay rates for unsocial hours and safeguards to

protect doctors from beingover worked. Some fear similar changes

could be brought in here. These contract changes will make us much

more stressed, much more thinly spread, less able to treat patients

adequately. We worry about our family members and friends who need

to come into hospital and the care they will get under the new

contracts. In a statement to the BBC, the local Health Minister Simon

Hamilton said an imposed contract would be the west possible outcome.

He'd sympathy for the Westminster's Government aim to create a seven-day

NHS. He said it is essential to work with staff to achieve it. The Health

Minister seems to be adopting a wait and see approach. He hasn't rejected

the idea of a new contract nor has he said he'll implement any

agreement finally reached in England. But doctors here say that

uncertainty is unhelpful. Northern Ireland doesn't know what's

happening yet. Though we hope it won't come in here, our fear is it

will. The knock-on effect is doctors who work here may not want to in

August and it could impact on our health service. Scotland and Wales

say they'll stick to their existing system.

A bus lane in Belfast's Great Victoria Street is to be shortened

after nearly 5,000 fines were issued to motorists for driving in it

It's understood many of those receiving penalty notices

claimed they were trying to access the front of the Europa Hotel when

This is the contention strip of bus lane near Belfast City centre. It

runs along Great Victoria Street from Bradbury Place up to the front

of the Europa Hotel. Motorists have been required to drive up to the

entrance to the hotel bicrossing the bus lane to access the front of the

Europa. Those who drove into the bus lane earlier were detected by the

camera. About 5,500 were caught. That's around 50 fines per day. It

equates to something in the region of a ?250,000 if paid within the

first 14 days. Among those who fell foul of the bus lane is the owner of

a wedding hire car company bringing bridal parties not hotel. You're

bringing passengers to cut across the lane it seemed unnatural to my

drivers on that day. I wasn't driving but they said it felt safer

to go in, drive down the lane and verge in slowly rather than cut

across at 90 degrees. I got three fines in the space of just over an

hour. I would like to see them refunded. Following discussions with

the management of Europa, the bus lane will be shortened by 25 metres

which should make it easier for traffic to turn into the hotel

without breaching the restrictions. Its worth stressing, the change will

not come into effect for at least three weeks.

The head of the Rivers Agency says there's no engineering solution to

recent flooding and people will have to adapt their homes and businesses.

David Porter told the Assembly that December had seen unprecedented

rainfall and nothing could have stopped the water.

Our agriculture and environment cCorrespondent reports.

People have been demanding action from the politicians over the

flooding. Today, MLA's got anywhere chance to ask the River Agency why

it happened. Three winter storms, the wettest December on roared and

in lock anyway, five times more water flowing in than flowing out.

Farmers claimed silt where the Bann enters the loch made it worse. It

will not make one millimetre of difference to the flood levels in

this event. The flood level in those fields is absolutely 100% determined

by the level of the loch. 30 properties have been flooded, most

around Loch Neagh. In the West, it was the road network which suffered.

50 closed in Fermanagh, leading to 50-mile detours for some. Back in

Loch Neagh, it was questioned whether the levels should be

lowered. One small reduction in the level could save a lot of these

homes and businesses probably. There were competing interests on Loch

Neagh, fishing, farming, boating. Restricting levels would make access

difficult. That will be reviewed. I wouldn't want to give anyone any

undue hope or hope without basis. I do not believe that there will be a

significant change to the level. If it was possible, we would have

already done it. He told MLAs if climate change predictions were

right, they were fighting a losing battle and in some places people may

have to accept their homes and businesses were at risk and adapt to

a new reality. While the flooding has caused misery

to many people, a school in Enniskillen has decided

to try and make the best of the situation, by turning flooded

football fields into a venue as our south-west reporter

Julian Fowler discovered. Moving the goalposts. There's been

no football played here for weeks. But that's brought an opportunity

for another sport. Water Polo. Pupils at Devonish college have been

learning to play with the paddlers kayaking club. They challenged their

teachers to a competition. We haven't been able to play sports on

the grass pitches. A few came up with the idea of water Polo as a

joke. We decided to take it a stage further. Here we are today. After

all the disruption, this was a chance to get out of the classroom

and to make the most of the floodwater. A lot of our kids have

been affected by the weather. A lot making journeys in the back of buses

and so on. We are just trying to have a bit of fun and make school as

enjoyable as we can. While the competition was hot, the water was

cold. It meant all of the post-Machin Terre views had a fairly

predictable theme. How was it? Very, very cold. Cold! I can't feel my

feet. It was great, yeah, Better than football? Definitely, yeah.

Extremely cold. Yeah. At the final whistle, the teachers had their

excuses ready. 4-2 in the end up there. A bit of wind advantage at

one stage might have pipped it for the pupils. That's my excuse anyway.

Not only did the pupils win, they also gave their teachers a soaking.

The waiter here is beginning to recede. Many people will hope this

doesn't become an annual sporting competition.

Thankfully for local football fans the pitch is good for tonight's

Thomas Niblock is there - here we go ahead with the two teams

Yes, the two teams played on Saturday. Lingfield won that game in

extra time. It is bitterly cold. If you're coming to the game, bring a

coat, scarf and hat and gloves. It is the County Antrim Shield final.

The first trophy of the domestic football season. It will be played

between Ballymena and Lingfield. What does that represent for

Lingfield? The first trophy as a manager. For Ballymena, it is their

chance to win the second trophy since their manager came to the

club. It's been good to me over the years.

As a manager I won against Lingfield three years ago. It holds fond

memories in my heart. We have performed well in it. Hopefully

tonight will be no different. Does the fact you played and lost against

Lingfield at the weekend make a difference to tonight? We will have

tested each other out. Had a good look at each other. Could be changes

on both sides. Different things which happen in the game which

contra-direct what happens. There could be a slip-up. We could score

first, they could, and you're chasing the game. Are you confident

Ballymena have the ability to beat Lingfield? We have. We've beaten

them before. There's no reason why we can't take Lynne field on and get

a result. What would it mean for you to win another trophy as a manager?

Listen, it's been putting players on the pitch winning games. It is not

about managers winning medals. It is about players winning medals. If

they play well, they've a chance of picking up a medal. The manager will

get the credit for getting tactics right but the players do it on the

pitch. The manager only picks the team and hopefully has them fired

up. I'm sure you're not crying. It is the wind but conditions will play

a massive part tonight? Yes. There's a stiff breeze blowing. Thankfully

the rain rain's off. A mistake, slip-up could cost someone the game.

From a cold January in Belfast to this year's Olympic Games in Rio.

Golf is returning to the Olympic programme, and Paul McGinley,

the Ireland team captain, has been speaking to our reporter Nigel

Ringland about preparations in Brazil.

Paul McGinley's focussed on the first ever golf competition in Rio.

The golf course is up and running. They haven't played a tournament on

it or a round on it yet. They were hoping to do it in November. That

was cancelled. It's moved back to February. A small event there. Get a

feel for it. Check out the grasses on it. Check out the wind

directions. How the golf course will play. Take photographs and help the

guys and girls with a strategy before they get there. The golfers

representing Ireland are yet to be confirmed but it promises to be a

novel ex-peerens for whoever is selected. So far ahead, it is next

August. We're planning January, February, March so far. They will

embrace it. It will be great. I'm really looking forward to it. A

whole new world for us golfers going over there to Rio competing with all

the other sports and trying to represent golf in the best way we

can and represent Ireland. And hopes for medal success in reee are high.

We'll have the goals action and result on the late bulletin at

10.25pm. And live commentary on Radio Ulster. That starts at 7.30pm.

I had the coat, hat and gloves today. And tonight you'll need the

doubling to duvet. Temperatures falling to freezing and below

especially in the countryside. Those clear skies allow those

temperatures to fall quite low. Some of us could see minus three or minus

four degrees. As cloud builds tomorrow morning it should lift the

temperatures a bit. Colder than today. Further outbreaks of