14/02/2017 BBC Newsline

Good evening, this is BBC Newsline and these are the headlines

The DUP leader says she supports scrapping a blocking mechanism

used dozens of times by her party at Stormont.

What we needed to talk about after the election is getting rid of the

petition of concern altogether. The Secretary of State rejects calls

for him to stand aside as chair A rise in house prices

across Northern Ireland, Inflation goes up again,

mainly because of the Also on the programme: We're

on the road again to hear what voters think of next month's

Assembly election, this evening We need a change, something new at

Stormont. It is still too entrenched and it is not the way forward. A

shake-up in the Ulster Rugby coaching team with more to come.

And tomorrow will feel noticeably milder as temperatures widely

There'll even be a little bit of sunshine.

I'll be back with your full forecast.

The DUP has used a petition of concern, which is an Assembly

veto, to stop votes on same sex marriage being passed

and to prevent motions of no confidence going through.

Today the party leader Arlene Foster told BBC Newsline

she would like to see that veto scrapped.

The procedure was originally designed as a way to safeguard

But their use has become controversial.

Our Political Correspondent, Stephen Walker, has been

speaking to the DUP leader, Arlene Foster.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, and even in the Assembly can be made

dependent on the addition of concern. If it is supported by 30

MLAs. It means emotion will only pass if it has cross community

support. The purpose is to protect one community from legislation that

would favour another. Over a five-year period from 2011 to 2016,

115 petition is concerned with used. The DUP sank 86 petitions, the SDLP

and Sinn Fein assigned 29. The Green party endorsed four, Alliance three,

the Ulster Unionists to. Arlene Foster bid queer today what she

wants to see happen. We talk a lot about the petition of concern and

opponents talk a lot about the petition of concern. We would like

to see the petition of concern got rid of for everything but our

opponents would like to keep it for the things they want to use it for

and not allow us to use it. What we need to talk about after the

election is getting rid of the petition of concern altogether. Why

has Arlene Foster said this today? Tactically, it says they are

prepared to recognise that the party is behind the curve in relation to

some issues. Public opinion has advanced on these and they are

intending to sell it to the public as a sign that the DUP has become

more modernised, but it doesn't feel the need to use that particular

device in order to block progressive reform in Northern Ireland. That

might be part of it. The next Assembly will be 90 seats, which

means securing a petition of concern with 30 MLAs will be harder. The

procedure has come under scrutiny and the SDLP, the UUP, Alliance and

Sinn Fein have all called for reform. The DUP are well aware of

how petitions of concern are perceived in some quarters and this

is the first time Arlene Foster has spoken about scrapping the

procedure. This development is significant because it opens up the

debate and gives us an indication of the level of detail that will be on

the negotiating table after the election.

The Secretary of State has rejected calls for him to step aside as chair

of any cross party talks after the Assembly election.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP have claimed that recent comments

from James Brokenshire on the legacy of the Troubles mean he cannot be

Mr Brokenshire spoke to our Political Editor, Mark Devenport.

As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and take the responsibility

for the UK Government. I very much look forward to getting into

discussions with the parties immediately following the election

on the 2nd of March, doing all I can to support work to get us back into

devolved government and that is my absolute priority and what I am

determined to achieve. You don't accept the nationalist argument and

from the former justice minister, David Ford, that you called

impartiality into question with comments on the legacy of the

troubles? What we need to do is get on with delivering on Stormont

house, one could be legacy institutions up and running and that

remains my view, remains the view of the UK Government. Actually, getting

into discussions so we can take that forward, that we can create a system

that starts to work, because it is fuelling everyone and I think that

delivers a balanced, proportionate, fairer approach in relation to this

that is agreed between the parties. We need to get on with it. You are

ruling out bringing in an attentive independent chair? We have already

made important progress on legacy from discussions have taken place

over many weeks and, therefore, I want to get back into that. No need

for an independent chair? There is the absolute focus we all have on

getting an Executive back up and running. Is there a disproportionate

focus on former soldiers and police officers, because the police legacy

branch have said only 30% of their effort is directed against those

involved in state forces? There is an issue in relation to the overall

framework, the systems, but are not delivering for anyone in relation to

legacy. That is why I feel keenly that we do need reform, we need to

get into the Stormont house legacy parties to get them up and running.

My position has not changed in relation to that. I see that as the

most effective way to progress this, as well as gaining agreement in

relation to legacy inquests. Don't these figures contradict your view?

When you look at the overall framework, the systems, whether that

be all of the different aspects dealing with legacy, that this is

not the balanced approach I think is necessary, which is why we all

agree, the parties agreed in relation to Stormont house, a

process that is balanced, proportionate, fairer. Those

elements underpinned Stormont house and underpin the legacy institutions

that I judge as the right way forward.

A councillor has resigned from the Ulster Unionist party

over her leader's voting tactics in the forthcoming

Mike Nesbitt said he would give his second preference vote to the SDLP

Carol Black, a member of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council,

said 'the whole ethos of the party had been destroyed'.

She is best known for beating the DUP in a by-election in Dromore

in County Down in 2008, after the party went into power

Before news of her resignation broke, the Ulster Unionist leader

denied making a mistake over his second

Mike Nesbitt was launching the party's election manifesto

and our Political Correspondent, Gareth Gordon, was there.

The Ulster Unionist party wants this election to be a referendum on how

the DUP and Sinn Fein handled the party debacle. The manifesto says it

is a blueprint for real partnership. But could their partnership with the

SDLP and the party leader saying he will give his second preference

votes to that party and not to the Unionists derail his campaign before

it has begun? Mike Nesbitt spent much of the launch today saying he

had no regrets. I am confident with my position and I am confident and

relaxed that people behind me are taking different positions in terms

of food transfer. People will come back on the 2nd of March to thinking

about the 85,000 a day that is quite a bit smug. It enters the DUP and

Sinn Fein in that castle and the impossibility, no matter what

anybody writes in the newspapers, of Leopard changing despots. Coastline

south Danny Kennedy, the most senior of Mr Nisbet's colleagues to

disagree with them publicly. It was a it was reaffirming to know Danny

was listening. The manifesto talks about cleaning up Stormont, with

greater accountability for ministers and their special advisers. The

election of an Assembly Speaker by secret ballot, and to abuse of the

petition of concern, greater transparency over political

donations. To be in a position to do that, Mike Nesbitt said they would

still have to share power with nationalists, preferably the SDLP.

The Ulster Unionists went into this election will bring all the

attention would be on the shortcomings of the DUP. They note

that focus has now turned on them in a way they would not want.

The value of the average home in Northern Ireland increased by six

percent or about ?7000 in the course of 2016.

But they're still a long way from the dizzy heights of the market

almost a decade ago, as our Business Correspondent,

2016 was the third successive year of price growth, as the Northern

Ireland property market continues to rebound. Values peak in late 2007

when the standard or average price stood at ?225,000. The crash saw

prices plunge with the market hitting rock bottom in early 2013

when the average price stood at 90 7000. The turnaround since has been

modest. Today, the standard Northern Ireland property is worth ?125,000,

which is the lowest in the UK. The average price is 44% below what they

once were and estate agents say that is no bad thing in terms of

affordability. There seems to be growth occurring across the market,

which is helping those people in negative equity, but it is a

comfortable growth where people are buying houses for the right reason,

as a long-term home, rather than speculative on investment. All

property types in all areas saw price increases last year, but

official government statistics revealed that new homes are rising

in value more than the start and this says some builders is putting a

strain on the supply. These foundations are already sold. As

soon as we can bring a think the market is sold. If we had hundreds

more properties we could only to prices and get more ownership. There

remains wide regional variation. This development is in the most

expensive council area of Lisbon and Castlereagh. The average price here

is about ?150,000, compared with 100 in varied and Strabane.

We also heard today that the UK's rate of inflation has also gone up,

it has hit its highest level since the summer of 2014.

Prices in January were almost 2% higher than they were a year ago.

Our Economics and Business Editor, John Campbell, is with me.

The rise in house prices is not included in this figure

You are right. The CPI inflation measure does not include housing

costs, but it includes virtually everything else. It shows that a

period of extremely low inflation is now clearly coming to an end. If we

get HRT, it shows what has been happening over the last five years.

The trend has been downwards and it is picking up again. If we go back

to 2011, inflation was at 5%, well above the bank of England target of

2%. It went down to virtually nothing, to zero, with the oil price

for 2015 and 2016, but we can see over the last four months it has

been ticking up and the rate of inflation now stands at 1.8%, just

above the 2% target. The era of low inflation is now over. Not all

prices of goods and services have gone. Where is this pressure coming

from? A big part of it is to do with the fall in the Valley of the pound.

It has fallen by about 15% against the dollar. That makes imports more

expensive. There is a lot of stuff we import, fielding a big one, and

fuel is the key driver at the moment in terms of pushing up inflation. If

we look at another church, the consumer Council keeps an eye on oil

prices and this chart shows the cost of the 900 metre film. One year ago

you could fill your tank for under ?250. Today it is more than ?350.

Inflation has taken off in terms of fuel prices. What is the outlook? It

would be at least 3% by the end of this year. Thank you.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has accused the Sinn Fein President,

Gerry Adams, of being an 'absolute hypocrite'.

The remark came during a Dail exchange when the Sinn Fein leader

criticised the Republic's government over its handling of a scandal

involving a whistle blower in the Gardai.

The Cabinet has agreed in principle to a public enquiry

into an alleged smear campaign against Sergeant Maurice McCabe

by senior gardai officers involving false claims of child sex abuse.

Our Dublin Correspondent, Shane Harrison.

That heated exchange that you mentioned took place after and

Canning said that the Cabinet had agreed in principle to hold a sawn

public enquiry into whether senior officers had falsely smeared

Sergeant Maurice McKee had as a child sex abuse. Mr Kenny said the

terms of reference had yet to be worked out. He admitted he was, in

his own words, Kilby himself of giving inaccurate information about

his knowledge of the children's minister's meeting with the family

last month. That prompted Gerry Adams to intervene and he strongly

attacked the government over its handling of the affair. It pointed

this response from the Taoiseach. You are an absolute hypocrite after

what he did and what is said the former senator Maria castle. What

you did and did not do in respect of safe houses this side of the border

where sexual abuse was conducted by members of your organisation on

young men. You are an absolute hypocrite. Absolute hypocrite. In

his reply, Gerry Adams said he was not going to rise to what he called

the bluster, diversions and destruction.

The High Court in Belfast has heard that the former

Prime Minister Edward Heath was involved in a decision making

process surrounding claims of torture by 14 men interned

in Northern Ireland nearly 46 years ago.

Lawyers for the so-called Hooded Men argued that their treatment

The judicial review hearing was also told that Stormont's Prime Minister

at the time, Brian Faulkner, was personally briefed

about the deployment of techniques, which had one of those being held

Details emerged during a legal bid in Belfast to secure an independent

The 51-year-old woman who died after being knocked by a car

in Ballycastle was Anne-Marie Malone from the town.

It happened on the Ramoan Road late yesterday afternoon.

The police are again appealing for information

following the attempted murder of a man in County Armagh.

The 31-year-old remains critically ill in hospital after being shot

It happened in Carrigart Crescent in Lurgan early yesterday morning.

At least 20 shots were fired from an automatic gun

Back to the Assembly election and our reporters have been visiting

various towns to gather the views of some voters.

For this evening's programme BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson

has been to Newtownards in the constituency of Strangford.

I'm going round doorsteps in youth annoyance. If I was a candidate,

what would you be saying to me? 50p each year were from. I would be

asking what you are going to do for us around here? Especially in

Newtownards. It is very deprived nowadays. I am not interested in

Orange or green, we need rid of that politics and move forward. As to

whether we have the right politicians, I'm not sure. We need

something new Stormont. It's not working and hasn't been working and

it is too entrenched and is not the way forward. How many of you will

code? You will vote? Yes. Probably. What is the most important issue?

Money. It is all about money. It is all about money and is not having

enough. What he said. It is all about money. None of us earn enough

money. We are coming from the shops, doing the cheapest shop and we can.

How important is this election? It is important. Anyone else in your

house is going to talk to me? I am only working here. It is important

for our children, grandchildren, because we have been through 40

years of hardship and it wasn't us that started it, but the other side

seems to be getting more and the more they get the more they want.

Would you vote? I will indeed. I think it is pretty stupid.

Considering we already voted once. And many to vote for. Nothing

changes. I will vote. For the same party as last time? Yes. Don't think

we'll go to this one. If Stormont didn't come back, would you miss it?

No. If it would save the country some money, it would be a good idea?

What do you think of Stormont? I'm not voting. They can sort it out

themselves. I think it is important that they do vote. It is important

that they see it as part of their Christian duty to vote and think

outside the box potentially, but also look at the things important to

them, imported to the community that they live in and they should take

that opportunity to vote. I will tell them yes. Would you put

yourself? No. Couldn't resist it. Couldn't resist it. Sorry. Well,

yes. Yesterday, we heard about a change

of Ulster Rugby, today we are promised there is more to come.

Stephen Watson is here with the sports news.

The arrival of New Zealander Jono Gibbes as head coach

one of several changes to come at Ulster.

Today, Director of Rugby, Les Kiss, spoke for the first time

since the appointment and revealed that more new faces will be arriving

They could be in the corner. Les Kiss has cut if frustrated figure

watching his Ulster side struggle in the Pro12 and miss out on

qualification in Europe has been testing. The director of rugby has

moved early to shake things up for next season. I have been working on

the options. I have identified a couple of players and further

decisions will be made in the future. The Ulster professional

game, the board have been supportive of that. That is one decision, but

our eyes are on Belfast and the rest of the season. It is a big clue to

bring Gibbs to Belfast as a player. The New Zealand international was

uncompromising forward and as a coach with spells at Leinster and

Claremont, he has also been a winner. The news mean the crediting

of Alan Clark and need Duque will be leaving the club in the summer. I

will not speculate on the other positions. There is a lot of

sensitivity around it. It is important that we, as a group, stay

focused on the job at hand and further decisions and announcements

will be made in the coming weeks. Emerging from the pack as one of the

contenders to join Gibbs in the Ulster setup is former Welsh

scrum-half Dwayne Peel. Les Kiss is keeping his cards close to his

chest, but there could well be another use up his sleeve.

Northern Ireland's most capped outfield footballer, Aaron Hughes,

has had a memorable career to date which has seen him play

Although in the latter stages of his career the Cookstown man

signed for Heart of Midlothian in Scotland last month

where he's been given a new lease of life,

our reporter, Nial Foster, has been to meet him.

With over 600 club and international appearances to his name, you could

say Aaron Hughes is used to the pre-match routine. Respected across

the game, he has made many friends in football. And he chose his heart

over his head. I think everywhere I have been it has always been

competitive and this is no different. There are good players

appear. No doubt about it. It is not a good deal different. It is

football and there are a lot of similarities. I am enjoying my

football. In a career spanning 20 years, his path to the Scottish

capital started in England. Followed by a short spell down under, then it

was India, before Edinburgh, where the 37-year-old shows no signs of

hanging his boots up just yet. It has been good to come back appear.

It is good to be closer and it makes the travelling and things a lot

easier. Maybe there's stress through my body, which will hopefully

prolong things. At the moment my focus is on playing us up once I

start to get past that I can take a bit of time to consider my next

option and if I can keep my fitness and keep playing to a good standard

it gives me a chance to stay involved. The ultimate professional

on and the pitch, Hughes was rewarded for his efforts by playing

at the European Championships last summer. If there was only one in the

squad who deserve the opportunity it was him. On a football since I was

jealous. It is one thing I would have loved to have done. There are

many players better than I was who never got the opportunity to do it.

There is nobody more proud of myself watching them come out. It is

terrific. So, his name will be celebrated for the foreseeable

future. MMA star Conor McGregor

and the undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather appear to have

agreed a deal to fight. McGregor is believed to be

in the States to seal the deal for what could result in boxing's

first ever billion dollar bout, We are lovers today, but fighters.

Where is your red. He forgot it. Love is in the air.

Now here's Cecilia Daly with the weather forecast.

We would like some weather for the night. A good guide to cuddle up on

the sofa. No dramatic sunsets, but it has not been the wettest day.

That was three years ago. 2014 when Ali Patrick in the clans of Antrim

had far of two inches of rain. It might be an drizzly out there but

some of our weather watchers feeling love today. We have this forest

earlier today before the rain arrived. Finding a hard carved in

the tree. Some damp weather at the moment. It will ease off for a

while. It will dry up. There will be breaks in the cold it will not be

particularly cold and there will be some rain edging in from the

south-west by morning. A Mother's Day tomorrow. Temperatures in double

figures. Expect some reading in the morning. One or two sharp bursts

around. What having the umbrella handy. It will become drier and

brighter in most places like around midday lunch time. This is the best

part of the day when the sun will the out, temperatures will get up to

ten or 11 degrees. It would be a cold wind. A couple of showers in

the afternoon but a lot of the time it will be dry and there will be

brightness around. That is not a bad forecast for tomorrow. Later on we

will see some more wet and blustery weather edging in from the

north-west. Tomorrow night will be breezy. Some rain in the north and

west. Temperature-wise, it is pretty mild and fast free. We continue this

theme into Thursday. Quite a breezy day. Dry weather in the morning,

pregnancy and there. You pieces of rain in the afternoon but nothing

too heavy. Temperatures are still in double figures. On Friday, it looks

like most places will have a good deal of dry weather, some brightness

with a bit of rain later on. You can see the pattern. Double-figure

temperatures, lots of cloud, some rain, not too wet.

Our late summary is at half past ten.

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