23/03/2016 BBC Newsline

but will the changes help improve public confidence

Have yesterday's terrorist attacks in Brussels put football fans off

Will it stop me going to France? Will it stop all Northern Ireland

supporters going to France? No. Investing in future -

nearly ?50 million is earmarked We're on the site of a huge solar

farm. #6 The Easter Rising -

how #6 does a divided island We've an exclusive interview

with Ulster rugby's new big name It's all change in the weather.

After ten dry days, the rain arrives tonight.

There's to be a big shake-up in the rules dealing

An independent panel has made significant changes which it says

will help to improve public confidence in our politicians.

The new regime will affect many aspects of MLAs' work,

including their offices, staffing and travel allowances.

Here's our political correspondent Chris Page.

Money matters are part and parcel of politics, but there's one in

particular which can be toxic - politicians' own expenses. This BBC

Spotlight programme in 2014 raised questions about the activities of

some parties. Now the people who set the rules are changing them. The

Independent Financial Review Panel say the changes are radical.

Professionalism, fairness and equity is really at the heart of what we're

doing to ensure that MLAs get the money they deserve to do the job we

all want to see done, but at the same time comply with a set of rules

and controls that limit those moneys to prevent them being a bussed. So

Stormont getting a brand new expenses system. Preef cussly MLAs

were entitled to claim ?67,000 a year to run their offices. That has

been scrapped. There are new rules for staffing arrangements.

MLA will only be able to employ one close relative. When it comes to

constituency offices, they won't be allowed more than one. The rent they

can claim will be capped at ?8,500. There will be restrictions on signs,

for example, assembly members won't be able to call their offices party

advice centres. MLAs' salaries will go up by ?1,000 to 49,000, but the

pay of junior Ministers and the Speaker will be cut. Any politician

knows any negative story about expenses damages the reputation of

politics in general. The independent financial review panel say these new

rules will help improve public confidence in Stormont. The regime

will kick in straight after the Assembly elections in early May.

European football authorities have insisted this summer's Euro 2016

tournament will go ahead as planned in spite of the increased terror

threat in the wake of yesterday's attacks in Brussels.

But fans - including those supporting Northern Ireland

and the Republic - have been warned to expect extra

security when the tournament kicks off in June.

With 24 teams, 51 matches and more than a million fans, the French

thormts have a lot on their plate this summer right across the

country. Northern Ireland will be playing in Nice, Lyon and Paris. The

Republic will also be playing in Paris, as well as in Lille in the

north and Bordeaux in the south where they'll play Belgium. Today

the French Government insisted their number one priority will be safety.

It's not just the stadiums which will need to be protected, but the

city centre fan zones where tens of thousands of people are expected to

gather. But the French authorities say everything is under control.

TRANSLATION: To ensure safety, we will be particularly vigilant. We

will constantly review the elements of risk and be flexible, which will

permit us, if appropriate, to reconsider the position of any

particular fan zone and its organisation. There has been

speculation that in a worse case scenario, matches could be played

without any fans in the stadiums. Today an UEFA spokesperson said

there are no plans to play matches behind closed doors. However, "We

are working on contingency plans around crisis situations." Crisis or

no crisis, this Northern Ireland fan has got his tickets for France, and

he's going. Well, obviously, there always will be a threat from

terrorism no matter where you are. As far as it goes, it wouldn't put

me off going. If people turned around and took the attitude, no,

we're not going to go, who wins? The tournament isn't that far away. It's

only 11 weeks until the big kickoff. The reality is between now and then,

fans will be counting down the days, but also keeping their eyes on the

news bulletins. A cyclist in his forties

has died in a collision It happened this afternoon

on the Knockmore Road in Lisburn. The road has been closed

at its junction with the Ballinderry Road and police have

put diversions in place. Six new schools are to be built

with money provided under the Stormont House and

Fresh Start agreements. The funding totals ?43 million

and is earmarked for shared Our Education Correspondent

Robbie Meredith reports. Children at Phoenix Integrated

Primary School in Cookstown were singing for special guests today who

were bringing a welcome message. Physical manifestation of the Fresh

Start agreement coming to life. This is good life for the schools and for

the economy. I think it's a positive indication things are moving

forward. Shared education campuses at different sites and integrated

buildings - it's the first instalment of ?500 million promised

for similar projects by the UK Government. The Secretary of State

says it's a good investment. Great education is crucial in terms of the

economic competitiveness. It's also important in terms of community

co-he is he's. This is a timely investment for a number of schools

but we're on the cusp of an election so it's also a good time for

politicians to be bringing good news. This is another staging post.

We're very pleased to be able to do it before we go into the

pre-election period, or whatever you want to call it. We're delighted the

UK Government has come forward with this money. If we weren't making

this announcement we'd be criticised for why are we taking so long? This

is one of the schools that'll get money to plan a new building. They

want that to lead to bricks and mortar. The money is a significant

issue for our school. We'll be hoping for a purpose-built school, a

new school in the next few years. That really will be something to

make a song and dance about. The BBC understands that

an associate principal is to be appointed to west Belfast school

De La Salle to work alongside the current principal

and senior management. It comes after parents of some

of the pupils there called for the school's management

to be stood down. They have been concerned that staff

absences at the college are affecting pupils

about to sit exams. This latest development comes a week

after some parents began protesting outside the school gates about

teachers not turning up to work. At one stage, around a third of the

staff were off sick. These parents take little comfort from the news

that another principal is to join the team. I want the principal and

the board of governors to go. They have failed miserably. They have

failed the children and the parents. We want them to go. Stand down and

let's have an investigation. Let's have an investigation into what's

happened. What have an investigation into what's

school to the situation it's in? That's something we want to know. In

a statement, the principal of La Salle said she wanted to reassure

parents that the school remains focussed on the education provision

and emotional well students. This evening the parents

are due to meet the Children's Commissioner. The BBC understands a

new Associate Principal is to be put in place here as soon as possible.

But until something changes, this group says they will continue to

protest outside the school gates. 110 jobs are to be created

at an engineering company in Cookstown as part

of a ?6.8 million investment. The company makes washing

and recycling equipment Still to come: Tempers flare as

customers across the world. Still to come: Tempers flare as

Carrick Rangers breat Crusaders in the Irish League.

The hospitality sector claims it could lose as much as ?16 million

this Easter because of the Assembly's failure

The Minister responsible says he ran out of time to address the issue,

as our business correspondent Julian O'Neill reports.

Preparing for opening time today at 11.-30, but on Good Friday, service

cannot begin until 5.00pm, and through this evening, pubs close

early. Their trade body says each venue's takings will drop an average

?9,000 compared to usual, a blow which this year comes days before

costs rise with the introduction of the national living wage. Every

penny now counts. It always does, obviously, but if our costs are

being put up, out of our hands, they are being put up, then every penny

does count. The legislation on this is more than a century old and was

last amended some 20 years ago. The Assembly has consulted on change,

but nothing has happened. In a statement, the DSD said:

So it becomes a matter for a new department and a new Assembly, too

late for this year's business at the likes of this hotel. I took a call

from a girl who was organising an hen night. She was going to book 20

rooms here in the hotel. She needed clarification on the licensing. I

told her. Based on that she didn't make the booking. She went

elsewhere. An economic argument is being pushed with Hospitality Ulster

claiming Easter costs the sector ?16 million in lost revenue.

A new report has suggested that Northern Ireland's economy is "more

vulnerable" than other parts of the UK to the potentially

negative impacts of leaving the European Union.

The report is produced by the Oxford Economics consultancy

for Stormont's Department of Enterprise.

Our Economics and Business Editor John Campbell is here.

What is this report looking at? Really what Oxford Economics are

looking at is what's going to happen if the UK should vote to leave the

EU which could happen in a matter of months when we leave the referendum.

The main things they look at are how we'd do business with the rest of

the world, how trade policies would change and what give would do in

that situation, for example, it could abandon a lot of regulations

imposed by the EU. They take those two areas and come up with nine

different economic is enair yeses of what could happen. What are the

conclusions? Under the scenarios, there would be no boost to the UK if

it chose to leave the EU. In fact, it says under most of the scenarios,

growth in the UK would be lower than if it had stayed. It said the

negative effects in Northern Ireland could be particularly pronounced.

That's if we were to have any interruption with the north-south

trade across the border. That's what they mean by the extra vumt for

Northern Ireland. Because there are nine conclusions, does that not show

how confusing this whole picture is? Even in this report, which is the

main piece of report Stormont has commissioned on Brexit there is

still a lot of uncertainty. There is consensus in the short term if we

left, there would be economic problems but trying to make a

judgment over the longer term is much more difficult. This is looking

at what the situation would be in 2030. I think to look at a time

frame that long - that far of a horizon, there is going to be a huge

amount of uncertainty. These sorts of forecasts are usually wrong. The

question is if they're a little bit or a lot wrong. When you're trying

the make such an assessment over such a long time frame, there is

still massive uncertainty over what it would mean for our economy. Much

more debate to come. Thank you. A lesbian couple who are expecting

their first child in June say they'd no other option but to pay

for private fertility treatment to ensure both their names

would be included They'd previously tried to get

treated via the Health Service For the second of her reports

on gay couples our Health Correspondent

Marie-Louise Connolly Loughney a traditional nursery

despite a somewhat alternative pregnancy. Sarah Murphy got pregnant

as a result of Private fertility treatment. In a gay relationship,

the donor's sperm was imported from Denmark. Such a route ensures both

women's names are on the birth certificate. That was one of the

main factors why we chose a clinic, and not to do it ourselves, because

we are not same-sex marriage or in a civil Jenny is actually the child's

legal second parent, she will be on the birth certificate. The couple

did try to get treatment by the Health Service, but were turned

down. The Health Service were not very helpful, to be honest. From the

minute I walked in the door, it was almost as if we can't help you but

we are going to have to go through certain channels to make it look

like we are trying to. It was certain channels to make it look

we were being denied what is right because of who we are as people and

it didn't seem fair. Gay couples can try artificial insemination

themselves but that approach can have legal problems. The

difficulties arise that when this child is born, sometimes the donor

once contact or wants to be the named father and that may not be

what the same-sex couple ever envisaged. And then we can go off to

court with contact applications or declarations of parentage cases.

Clearly from the comments on their Facebook page, their story is not

unique. The response, especially from their parents, has been

supportive. So excited, they can't wait to be grandparents. When they

found out I was gay, it was like a door shut for them, they never

thought I would have a baby and they would be grandparents. As already

reported on Facebook, their baby girl is due in June.

Planning permission has been granted for a huge solar farm in Co Antrim -

The ?40 million development will go on 200 acres of land

But developers say delays in connecting renewable projects

to the electricity grid could threaten its viability.

Our Agriculture and Environment Correspondent

If all goes to plan, the man who currently farms sheep on this land

by the shores of Lough Neagh could soon be farming sunshine. Hundreds

of acres of it. Joe McQuillan's application to build a huge solar

farm on his land has been given the north by the Environment Minister.

This is a 200 acre development but it is not until you come here that

you get a true sense of the scale of this project. These panels are going

to be in both fields to my left and to my right and all the way back to

that far tree line. It really is going to be a sea of solar. And

despite its scale, it has all gone through without a whimper, no

opposition of any kind, not a single letter of objection. We spotted it

from Google maps looking down, big fields, open and totally enclosed,

no people looking into it from residential houses. This is a

smaller scheme being built near Belfast International airport, but

the infrastructure is much the same. The pressure now is to get the new

one built, connected and generating before next March, when government

subsidies for renewables end. The connection is the problem, that is

due to network pressures, something the energy firm behind the solar

farm was discussing with electricity chiefs today. I think it will be

very tight for time and I know they are working on it and there is a lot

very tight for time and I know they of goodwill, but there just isn't a

lot of time. This is a ?40 million scheme, but

Now to the latest in our series of reports in the build up

to Sunday's Easter Rising commemorations.

As Dublin prepares for the event, I spent a day in the city

with political historian Eamon Phoenix to get a sense of

how Nationalist and Unionist perspectives on the Rising differ.

The events that started here at the GPO 100 years ago came completely

out of the blue, but they shaped Irish history. But how that history

is remembered and interpreted is different on both sides of the

community. Easter week, 1916, and the rebel leaders, including Patrick

Pearse and James Connolly, spent the week here directing the Rising,

which had little support in Dublin. Amid intense shelling from British

forces, Amid intense shelling from British

rebel leaders were imprisoned and the sculpture remembers

rebel leaders were imprisoned and by firing squad following their

rebel leaders were imprisoned and surrender. When the British executed

15 of the rebel leaders here, there was a sea change in public opinion.

15 of the rebel leaders here, there Popular support went from

pro-British to pro-rebellion almost overnight and it brought violent

republicanism back into Irish politics. They staged a coup and

because of their martyrdom, effectively, their execution here,

it was successful and that meant that other unelected groups from the

it was successful and that meant 1920s down have always cited the

1916 proclamation as their mandate for violence, down to modern times.

And this is where they are buried. Initially, it was supposed to be a

secret grave but now it is seen as the foundation site for the birth of

the Republic. Eamon Phoenix says it is important to see the Rising in

the context of the First World War. In the middle of the Great War, you

have this momentous event in Ireland, which indeed establishes

really the framework of Ireland today. Out of that would emerge are

divided Ireland, by 1921. It didn't bring about partition but it kind of

hastened it and it defined it. Nationalists and unionists are

approaching this anniversary from very different respective is. With

the recent 3,500 dead in Northern Ireland as the result of the

troubles, with the unfinished business of dealing with the past,

some people find this challenging and perhaps understandably so.

Thousands have died in Ireland since 1916 in a history that is complex

and challenging. we'll be inside the GPO in Dublin

on tomorrow evening's programme. when the biggest commemoration

will be taking place, we'll be live with a special

programme from O'Connell Street. That's here on BBC One

at 11.25 on Sunday morning. And BBC News NI has all of the

Easter Rising news reports and features in one location.

He's still in South Africa, but BBC Newsline has tracked down

Ulster Rugby's latest big-name signing -

24-year-old Marcel Coetzee won't arrives in Northern Ireland

until this summer, but he's been speaking to us

exclusively in Durban ahead of his move.

Coetzee has already played for the Springboks 28 times -

and his departure from the Natal Sharks, where he was captain,

has caused some controversy in his home country.

He comes with a big reputation and is confident of making

Another Springbok is preparing to make the leap to Ulster Rugby and

Marcel Coetzee is relishing the challenge ahead. If it was a place,

you know, our culture and the people, the rugby, I always said

Ireland would be the place and so it worked out eventually. They phoned

me right out of the World Cup and we started slowly but surely

negotiating and they have been phenomenal. My wife was in all the

way, so I think it was a great decision on our behalf. And the

South African connection with also played a big part in his decision to

sign. Yeah, immediately, we spoke a lot through Skype and face time and

it was a very difficult decision for me but he ultimately made it very

easy, and I have a couple of other friends there, it is basically like

a second Sharks, if you can call it that. Support has been awesome all

the way, they definitely played a huge part. He is an absolute

passionate, passionate player, he never stops, he is a workhorse, he

never gives up, he will carry as much as he can and he is a top, fit

guy and he is young, he's very young, so he hasn't had a lot of

injuries, so that is a great thing and I think the fans are going to

love him. And Coetzee is willing to contribute where ever he is

required. Whatever the team once of May, I will give it to them, whether

it is six, seven or eight, I am happy to contribute to the team and

its goal. As a personal goal for me, I would like to settle down and

specialise on open side but if the club needs me at seven or eight, I

am happy to oblige. The Northern Ireland squad trained

at Cardiff City stadium today ahead of tomorrow's friendly

against Wales. Manager Michael O'Neill has yet

to win an away friendly but he says the mood

in the camp is very positive. It is nice to be coming into this

period looking forward to the finals, because you have a focus,

particularly in these games and I think the players, just seeing them,

they have enjoyed getting to see each other again and certainly the

two days we have had, spirits have been very high. The last time we

were together in November, we didn't even know the draw but now there is

a bit more meat and bone and we are talking about preparation, what we

expect of them and to be fair, they have been excellent. That is live on

BBC Two tomorrow. In local football, the race

for the Irish league title took a significant twist last night

as top of the table Crusaders lost Adam Sally, on loan from Linfield,

with the pick of three first half Paul Heatley's second half effort

here saw Crusaders trail 3-2, but close to full time,

substitute Ben Roy scored a fine individual effort to guarantee a win

for Carrick, who go tenth Late in the game, Crusaders'

Josh Robinson was red carded for this tackle in front of the home

dug out and when the dust settled on the ensuing skirmish,

Carrick manager Gary Haveron Despite losing, Crusaders

remain top of the table - And golf, on day one of the world

golf match play championship, Graeme McDowell this three down with three

holes to play against world number two Jason Day. Rory McIlory tees off

in half an hour. Let's go to Jeff now with the

weather. Good evening. We have had some

beautiful photographs over the last few days but as we go overnight

tonight, it is all change because I am afraid the rain is starting to

arrive. Gradually, the skies were cloud over from the west and the

rain moves in overnight, spreading to all parts. Temperatures down to

five or 6 degrees. It means tomorrow gets up to a soggy start, the rain

will continue through the early part of the day. Gradually, it is going

to clear to the south and east as the front moves through. Behind it,

the skies. To fragment and we start to see some brighter spells

beginning to open up as we go through the later part of the day.

Top temperatures, nine, maybe 10 degrees, the Chancellor some decent

evening brightness by the time we get to the end of the day but those

clearing skies Thursday evening mean overnight, the temperatures will

drop away quite markedly. In some room role areas, cold enough to see

a touch of frost -- rural areas. Good Friday is off to a bit of a

chilly start but it is looking like the best day of the Easter holiday

weekend. Gradually as we go through the morning, some brighter spells,

nine or ten the top temperatures, but it won't take long for rain to

threaten again. That front moving in from the west later on. We are into

some much more unsettled weather, this front coming through towards

the weekend and behind it, this area of low pressure means we are going

to see a good deal more in the way of strong winds as we go through the

weekend. So the message is to make the most of Good Friday because

Saturday is going to be very wet indeed, at least to start with.

Gradually, that rain will clear away through the day. Certainly Good

Friday the best of the next few days and by the time we get to the

weekend, wet and windy. Thank you. I will be back at 10:30pm

with the latest news. From everyone on the team, enjoy your evening.

Goodbye.