09/12/2013 BBC Newsline

The headlines: Richard Haass is back in town promising intense

negotiations over the next two weeks. I'm live with more details.

An international team is to assess children's heart surgery on both

sides of the border. The move is welcomed by families. Very

vulnerable children are at the heart of both and I think you would have

to have a heart of known not to be moved by this.

The hi-tech bit of kit that should stop underage drinkers getting into

nightclubs. Another illegal fuel laundering

raid, but from now on those caught could find themselves in jail.

Ulster's rugby players win again in Europe. One of the team joins me.

And today we had temperatures normally seen in April, but how long

will the mild weather last? I'll have the details shortly.

The former US diplomat Richard Haass has said there is a sense of urgency

in talks aimed at resolving disputes over flags, parades and the legacy

of the Troubles. Mr Haass is back in town for what he's described as an

intense two weeks of deliberations and negotiations. Our political

editor is at the talks venue in east Belfast. What is in store over the

next two weeks? This next fortnight is make or break time for these

talks. Richard Haass and his team will be seeing the parties three

times and they will be seared British and Irish ministers to gauge

their response. One question which provoked controversy while he was in

America was a question about whether there would be any advantage to

designing a new Northern Ireland flag. Richard Haass explain to us

that that did not come off the top of that head but reflected opinions

he had been getting from some of the 600 written submissions he has

received. A good number of them came forward with ideas about a new

Northern Ireland flag and different people had different ideas about

what role such a flight could play full .Mac, for some it was playing a

larger role than others. It was clear to us that there was quite a

lot of popular interest in this. We thought we should get the opinion of

the leadership what they thought. Talking about how we deal with the

legacy of the past. What do the parties have to say about that?

Richard Haass himself said the various mechanisms and incentives

for covering the the truth about the troubled past will be on the table.

He would not give any more details. It seems a blanket amnesty is very

unlikely given therefore are over -- over the Attorney General's ideas.

He did not completely rule out immunity from prosecution is. I have

gone on the record in the past to discuss issues around unity and how

that has worked in previous phases and how it may be able to be used in

future phases, but I think everything has still to be

discussed. There was hope of agreement on the talks before

Christmas, but how likely is that? Do you think he will have to publish

his own proposals? Undoubtedly the preferred option would be having a

document that old Stormont parties can sign up to, but we know that

there are big differences in relation to flags and parades in the

past. He is not completely ruling out the notion he might put his best

guess at where the future should lie in some kind of document. If he does

that the SDLP say that it is up to the British and Irish governments

and as many of the parties as possible to backhand. We want to

maximise agreement among the parties that in the absence of agreement

that is big, bold and fearless we think that Richard Haass has to make

his own recommendations and said to each of the parties and to the two

governments, who is going to join him in that challenge and

responsibility? How much detail we are going to get out of these

negotiations remains unclear. At one point Richard Haass said that he

would try to keep us as informed as possible but a moment later he said

that at times he might also have to keep us in the dark.

An international team of medics has been called in by health ministers

from both sides of the border to look at the current and future needs

of children's heart surgery. The retirement of Belfast's lead surgeon

this week leaves one paediatric surgeon at the Royal. Because of low

numbers, the unit has been assessed as unsustainable. Today's

announcement opens the possibility of it permanently sharing resources

with Dublin. Every picture tells a story.

Especially when it involves children, parents and the health

minister. They have been waiting months for this news which means a

reprieve for children's cardiac surgery in Belfast. If it had gone

the other way, around 100 children each year would have had to travel

to England for operations. It should be viewed positively and that the

pressure has been relieved that the service has been retained in Belfast

with a framework that can identify a sustainable solution. Belfast is

absolutely in play. That framework will allow for an international team

of experts to explore how Ireland can do deliver a dual service

serving both children and adults. Led by this Boston expert, they are

due to begin their review in January and completed by June next year.

Throughout this process everything has been about removing children's

heart surgery from Belfast. The continued commitment from Dublin

shows that networks are feasible and it is due to the families

campaigning and having their voices heard we are now taking positive

steps forward. For the past 20 months it has been people power

driving the process forward. Protests, marches, even public

meetings where family spoke out and their voices were heard. Children

are at the heart of it, very vulnerable children and I a heart of

stone not to be moved by this. Last week, Judith Mickey told newsline

she did not know where her daughter's operation would take

place. The news is so welcome that we might have her surgery in Belfast

or definitely Dublin. It is significant that both jurisdictions

are supporting each other and that Dublin's surgeons will be helping

their colleagues in Belfast. It is important to remember that although

Belfast may be the smaller of the two units we have a reputation for

delivering very high quality care across the board and we hope to

build on that. Today's announcement does not mark the end of this worry.

According to parents, what it does is create a brand-new chapter. The

possibility of creating an all Ireland network cardiac service

being thoroughly explored. We have them at airports, ID

scanners. They are now being brought into nightclubs here. Not only are

they being used to stop to underage drinkers getting in, it's also hoped

it will reduce crime. This report contains flashing images.

It's late on Saturday night. Around 40 officers are being briefed on

Belfast's hot-spots for drunk and disorderly, assaults, vandalism and

any other criminal behaviour. It will be one of the biggest party

nights before Christmas so think about former bold young women --

vulnerable. If you see a problem, step in and deal with it. The

problems are mainly around all the late night clubs in the city. In a

bid to stop crimes happening out or inside their establishments, a new

ID scanning system is now being used in some clubs. The ID is placed

face-down. It is scanned and the person's photograph is taken. Their

age is displayed on a screen beside their photograph, a copy of their ID

is also taken and if they are over 18 they get a big green tick. The

club then records all of the information. The idea for this

scanning machine came from a club in Cardiff and now three clubs operate

it here. The police tell me they have had other inquiries from other

clubs both in Derry and Banbridge who want to try and install the

system there too. We have seen a significant reduction in incidence

and caught up with underage people using false identification because

it flags up on our system and tells us that the person who is trying to

get in, whether they have bought one off the internet, has a false

document. We are unable to refuse entry on that raises. It can also

take a person's fingerprint, which means they don't have to bring out

their ID the next time. Plus, if a fight happens, or something is

stolen, the police can request the club's data, copy of an ID or a

photograph to catch the criminal. Clubs can also share details if

someone is barred and why. It is a good idea because there are so many

bags that go missing, there's some many phones that go missing and I

have had friends who have had money that has gone missing out of a bag

so it probably is a good idea. I think it is a good idea. It gives

away the person so it is their fault if they do it. We head onto shaft

blue Square which is head onto -- which is full of revellers. The

police have a dedicated licensee police officer. The PSNI set is

about improving people's safety. The responsibility of the nightclub does

not end at its door, it is putting people onto the street. It is a

really good example of one of the clubs who have taken that

responsibility forward and they put their door staff out into the area

where people are getting taxis and that is helping. It costs ?45 a week

to rent one of these machines but the police there you cannot put a

price on people's safety. Coming up: The green light's been

given for a power station with a difference in the north west. Over

the past 11 years and after more than 100 relations, no one has been

sent to jail for fuel laundering. But the Justice Minister leaves that

that will change with new legislation coming into force. Our

district reporter was with David Ford this morning in South Armagh

where he witnessed the continuing battle against the illicit fuel

trade. No more fuel will be laundered in this tank. It is being

made useless by being filled by expanding foam. This is the second

phase of an operation against this plant in South Armagh. Revenue and

Customs were first here in Tober. At that time they discovered that one

of these tanks was being used to launder huge amounts of red diesel.

It was then piped to a secret underground tank. The officials

lifted up a manhole cover and found this fall strain. Tankers would fill

up at this coupling. And the diesel would then be shipped out over

northern Ireland. The plant was capable of something like 16

millions -- 60 million litres of fuel Allen. -- per annum. That is a

huge amount of money. It is industrial. And it is that

industrial scale and the vast potential profits that seem to be

rendering the current deterrence in effect. Something the justice

minister wants to change with today's new legislation. We put

through legislation recently to address the problem of people not

going to jail. You do believe that sentencing has been on Julie

lenient? It is not for me to judge that. It is for the judge in the

individual case. But now the Court of Appeal will give a definitive

ruling. I believe that is almost certain to learn -- to Leeds to

custodial sentences. Tobacco fraud will also come within the scope of

the new legislation which takes effect immediately.

The police say the level of dissident republican threat remains

severe and they want people to remain vigilant over Christmas.

Police patrols are to be stepped up with officers more noticeable in

Belfast and other areas. A senior officer says the move is aimed at

stopping incidents like last week's gun attacks on police officers in

north and west Belfast. People will see a heightened presence in the

city centre. We are anxious to protect the commercial life of the

city centre and other towns in the run-up to Christmas. We do not want

people to have their Christmas ruined by terrorism or other serious

criminality. So there will be a heightened police profile.

Coming up in a moment on BBC Newsline, Tom Court gives his

verdict on that big Heineken Cup win over Treviso.

A survey of businesses has suggested the recovery of Northern Ireland's

private sector gathered pace in November, hitting its fastest rate

of growth since 2004. Our Business and Economics Editor John Campbell

is here. What is this survey? It is called the Purchasing Managers'

Index. It is produced each month by the Ulster Bank. It is how things

are going in terms of exports, new orders and job creation. For the

past five or six years the picture has been unremittingly bleak. But by

some of this year things began to pick up and things have been

improving. By November businesses say that was their best month in

almost ten years. And what about staff, are they taking on more

people? Well job creation has thus far been modest because businesses

are still a bit cautious. They want to increase productivity, getting

more work out of the people who already work for them. But there

could be better news on job creation come the New Year. New orders are

continuing to expand at a rapid rate. We are seeing backlogs of work

which has not yet been started or completed is rising at a record

level. That implies that firms will need to deal with these backlogs and

are more likely to recruit in the New Year to deal with this. Over the

past couple of months you have brought us news of the surveys

indicating good growth. What does this say about long-term growth?

Well there is no doubt that some kind of recovery is taking place.

But we need to look at the context. Recovery is being driven by

consumption. That means people going out and buying more things. Largely

they do that through borrowing and they are saving less. So what we

need to see over the next couple of years is business feeling confident

enough to invest. Only then will the recovery be sustainable.

Work has started on Northern Ireland's largest green energy power

plant just outside Londonderry. 200 jobs will be created during the

construction of the new power station which will be the first of

its kind in all of Ireland. Here's our North-West reporter, Keiron

Tourish. The environment Minister helped launch the ?81 million

investment. He says it represents a major commitment to reducing carbon

emissions. This will produce 15 megawatts of energy and help us

achieve our target of renewable energy by 2020. These kind of power

plants are becoming increasingly popular in the drive to become a

winner. This new one will save over 2 million tonnes of wood from going

to landfill. It will be the event of taking 77 thousand cars off the

road. We will produce renewable electricity to the grid.

Approximately 15.8 megawatts. Enough for around 20,000 households over

the next 20 years. It is hoped that it will act as a catalyst for more

investment. Our economy in the north-west is going from strength to

strength. There will be around 200 jobs during the construction of this

plant over the next eight ten months. When fully operational there

will be employment for 38 people. It's been an impressive weekend for

Irish Rugby in the European Cup - with wins for all four provinces.

Stephen Watson is here. Full marks all round! Absolutely. Four wins for

the four provinces - including an impressive victory for Ulster. The

48-nil win over Treviso means they're still unbeaten in the

competition. One of the winning Ulstermen, Tom Court, joins me live

in the studio. We'll hear from him in a moment. But first Gavin Andrews

looks back on a try fest at Ravenhill. Ulster took control

making it three wins from three. Paddy Jackson got them going inside

five minutes on the way to a first bonus point in the competition this

year. Luke Marshall shored -- scored and took them to a half-time lead.

Then there was a first for number seven, Sean Doyle. Ulster were

flying and Andrew Trimble ran in with the sixth. Before Luke Marshall

put the finishing touches to a move that went the length of the pitch,

his second and the seventh try for Ulster completed a dominant evening

at Ravenhill. Tom, were you surprised just how comfortable that

win was for Ulster? I was a bit. The boys expected it to be very

physical. We were ready for a big physical encounter. There was no

time really to reflect. You played them in the return fixture this

weekend. I confident of doing it again? The boys are preparing well.

Last week was a great win but we need to put it behind us and start

again. After the back to back fixtures last year we slipped up.

And that put us in a precarious position. Ulster are flying high in

the competition at the moment. There has been news that you may be

leaving at the end of the season. That will leave a big hole for

Ulster to fill. It was tough to make that decision and it took a long

time. For me it is just trying to make the most of the games that I

have got left with Ulster. Disappointed to have to move on?

Yes, very disappointed. I have been here for eight years and it has been

my home, I got married and had my kids here. It is going to be a

change. We will just try to make the most of it and enjoy our time here

with our friends for the next six months. With all the Irish provinces

winning at the weekend it was a fantastic couple of days for

European rugby all round. Leinster were impressive. I guess the biggest

performance was, not. Do you think you will help of just two some

silverware? I will do everything I can! Thank you for coming in. The

cross border Setanta Cup competition wlil go ahead after the news today

that Cliftonville and Linfield have withdrawn from this year's

tournament. David Jeffrey's Linfield werepushed all the way by Coleraine

though, as Thomas Kane reports. They may have lost five consecutive

League games. But it looked like Coleraine were on course to grab a

point, thanks to two Eoin Bradley volleys. Their big problem, though,

has been conceeding goals. Oran Kearney's side haven't kept a clean

sheet all season. And their defensive frailties were exposed

when Philip Lowry scored the winner for Linfield late on. Crusaders are

still the team to catch. Paul Heatley scored the only goal of the

game against Dungannon Swifts. Cliftonville's deadly double act of

Liam Boyce and Joe Gormley were amongst the goals again. Each

grabbed one each in the victory over Glenavon. Jordan Stewart is getting

a reputation for scoring special goals, this was another one to add

to the growing collection. David Scullion grabbed two of his own

against Warrenpoint. Darren Murray's penalty was the difference between

Portadown and Ballymena. While David Kee followed up his missed spot kick

as Ballinamallard climb to eighth. In ice hockey, after eight

straightaway games, a month on the road, the Belfast Giants returned to

the Odyssey at the weekend. And in front of a bumper crowd of 5,000,

they had an emphatic 6-3 win over the Edinburgh Capitals. A victory

that means they now lead the Elite League table by four points. And

with five more games at the Odyssey this month, they are looking to make

the home advantage count. 5000 is a great crowd. All the games that we

have at home in December, I'm sure that we have great support. It

really helps the team. It is really nice to be back at the Odyssey. It

was a great team effort to come here and win. Ireland's cricketers are

going for an unprecedented trouble of trophies in the morning when they

face Afghanistan in the Intercontinental cup. They are

looking to add to their world Cricket league Championship and 2020

titles. Well I am a bit confused about the weather today! Nature is

keeping us a lot warmer than usual! It has been milder than it should be

for the time of year. Temperatures up to 12 degrees today. And right

through the week we hold onto that mild weather by day and by night. It

will turn breezy at times and there will be some rain later in the week.

Tonight it stays largely dry. Temperatures no lower than eight or

nine degrees. Not bad for the time of year. Some rain will come and go

and continue as we go through the day tomorrow. There will be a fair

amount of dry weather to expect as well. To begin with a fair amount of

cloud around. And the wind will bring in a few spots of light rain

and drizzle. But it is still mild, 12 or maybe even 13 degrees. Not bad

at all. A few spots of light rain continued tomorrow in the afternoon.

As we go through the evening and overnight into Wednesday, it is

another mild night again. Nine or 10 degrees. Wednesday is much like

today, good and bright as well. And we hold on to the southerly wind

coming in from the equator. There is a bit of a change towards the end of

the week. It will stay mild for the time of year but also turning a

little more unsettled with a weather front coming in from the west. We

will keep you up-to-date if there are any changes.

Some travel news and there has been a landslide on part of the Coast

Road between Glenarm and can't lock. -- Carnlough.