09/11/2015 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline:

The Taoiseach says he expects a political deal might be concluded

Homes are damaged in Newcastle as an oil tank fire spreads.

The Ulster rugby team's criticised for not wearing poppies

Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania - we find out

about an export project with a difference for one local company.

Medics on the front line - how Irish doctors and nurses served

The Northern Ireland team that's heading to France for the Euro 2016

finals next summer are guests of honour tonight in Belfast City Hall.

I'll be talking live to manager Michael O'Neill.

And tomorrow may not be as windy as today but wind

and rain remain features of the weather through the week.

The Taoiseach says he expects a political deal might be concluded

He's had a busy day, first meeting the Prime Minister

in Downing Street and now, having arrived in Belfast a short time ago,

he's meeting Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness this evening.

Our Political Editor, Mark Devenport, is at Stormont.

It's been a day marked by optimism about a deal

but precious little detail about what any agreement might involve.

Enda Kenny is here in Northern Ireland tonight,

but his first official engagement was a speech to the annual

conference of the Confederation of British industry at a London hotel.

And Kenny travelled to London to make the case for Britain staying in

the European Union. He told business leaders that a UK withdrawal would

cause economic damage on both sides of the Irish border. Research also

found that Northern Ireland could be the most adverts they affected

region in the UK in the event of Britain leaving the union. This

region in the UK in the event of would be and is extremely worrying.

In Downing Street, the two prime ministers discussed Europe and the

latest state of the Stormont talks. Taoiseach referred to document

central to the negotiations and said he would not what he called his

government's revised commitments to the A5 road project. We discussed

Northern Ireland and the issues that are of importance their. These

discussions have been going on for quite some time. We have been

discussing various points over the last number of weeks and I would be

hopeful that having had briefings from the Minster for foreign affairs

in respect to these discussions they might be able to be concluded this

week. At Stormont the Irish Foreign Minister was back at the negotiating

table. If the wind is be going to blow in a new direction, it would

depend on what looks like a warming relationship between Peter Robinson

and Martin McGuinness. They think is serious about coming to a new

approach that bears down in an effective way on those who have

heart problems in the past? I do. And I believe people think I am

serious also. What is required in the course of the next while as for

all politicians in this house to join with us in our approach to

bearing down on those who think it is a good idea to go out and shoot

job Davidson in east Belfast or Kevin McDine. After weeks of

discussions, and the talks have looked like breaking down, they may

potentially reach a successful conclusion this week. What do you

think is speculation that the media deal later this week? There is

speculation, what is unclear is whether we might get a deal which

all parties will buy into, or a deal that is just the DUP and Sinn Fein.

It seems clear that Ulster Unionist Party moved into opposition are

unlikely to support all the elements of a new deal. The DUP and Sinn Fein

are properly most hopeful about the Alliance party, but Alliance sources

are telling us they still have not seen the detail they want but there

will be making sure there is a mature attitude to finances as part

of any agreement. Will this be the swan song of Peter Robinson? If a

deal does happen, is that really him saying goodbye? We will find all

this out later this month. Mark giving us on top of all the

political developments today. The police are investigating

when an oil tank fire that damaged flats in Newcastle in the early

hours of this morning is linked to As Natalie Lindo reports four flats

were damaged when the fire started and spread

in Bracken Avenue in the town. As the embers die down the search is

underway as to clues to why or how the blaze broke out. Police and

service tankard was treated deliberately and are treating it as

arson. They are investigating a link between this and several other fires

in the area, some as far back as the summer. We saw the oil tankers

bonfire, we now in the last eight weeks we have been working with the

housing executives and other organisations in this area and we

have seen other incidents of this type. Are treating it as such at

this time and investigations will see if that is proved to be the

case. No one was injured but it could have been a different

outcome. 50 firefighters were called to a block of flats at about 3:20am

after the file from an oil tank spread to other properties. Homes

were evacuated residents were housed in other accommodation in Newcastle

town centre. Some have been allowed to return home. I was shocked and

scared. Added not the world's guide to happen. I did not know of the

rainy casualties or how far the extent of the flames would carry on

that night. They had to get more fire engines down to the estate to

try to keep it under control. Mac it was pretty frightening. Housing

executive contractors will work to repair the damage to its properties

and make the flats safe. Many elderly residents will not be able

to return home until that work is finished.

An inquest has been told that a man found with a serious head injury at

a caravan site in Co Fermanagh in 2008 had been involved in a fight.

James McGuaran, who was 41 and came from Kestrel Grange in Dunmurry

near Belfast, died two days later in the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen.

James McGuaran's body was found outside the caravan where he had

been staying in May 2008. The caravan was owned by this man,

Robert McCracken, he told the court had been a fight between the victim

and another man, Robert Kempson, in the early hours of the morning after

a night of heavy drinking following a day at the North West 200. Under

cross-examination Robert McCracken admitted in court that he did not

tell the truth in his statements to the police. In one he said he saw

his friend Robert Kempson threw punches at James McGuaran, but now

says he did not see the fight. The court was told that after the

altercation the victim was left lying on the ground outside the

caravan. And that Robert McCracken, Robert Kempson and another man left

in there to drive off home. 18 hours after the incident, James McGuaran

was admitted to hospital where he later died. His sister and also gave

evidence. She said her family wanted to know why her brother had died and

why he was left all day outside the caravan without medical attention.

The Ulster rugby team has been criticised by some unionist

politicians for not wearing a poppy on their jerseys during a match

But the club say they pay their respects to the victims

of the wars in a different way, by holding a memorial service

Before Ulster's game yesterday in Wales there was an act of

remembrance. Ulster's opponents had poppies on their shirts, the Ulster

team did not. Some Unionist politicians are angry about what

happened. I am appalled. I regard it as a calculated snub to Remembrance

Day. They chose to play on Remembrance Sunday, and yet they

chose to not have a copy as their opponents had on their shirts. --

poppy. You know watches rather than plays rugby, and says he was

disappointed not to see Claire was wearing poppies yesterday. The fact

the matches taking place on Reverend Sunday, they should have been given

the option, and should anybody have decided not to wear whatever reason,

but I think that would have been many who would have wanted and

should have had the right to do so. But Ulster Rugby have defended their

actions. In a statement they pointed out that they have this permanent

war memorial as part of their stadium. In fact, the new stadium is

built around it, and every year the players, management and coaches take

part in a remembrance service here. To top English rugby teams played

yesterday, Gloucester and wasps. They also had an act of remembrance

but did not wear poppies, and a former Army captain says they should

not be criticised and neither should also. I think in many ways it is

slightly unfair. Ulster Rugby did have a remembrance service, they had

a one-minute silence, and then we went to play. I think wearing a

poppy is really a choice, and people need to have choice whether they

wear a poppy or not. Ulster are making headlines on and off the

pitch. Victory year yesterday gave them their first away win of the

season. One of the keys for growing

our local economy is growing The official target for growth

in manufacturing exports over the past four years was 20%,

but just 5% was achieved. Our Economics and

Business Editor John Campbell has been to one successful exporter that

will soon be shipping sets This is the animated film Hotel

Transylvania, and this is a joinery workshop where that haunted hotel is

being turned into a theme park attraction. At the other end of the

workshop artists are producing a Ghostbusters set. These will soon be

shipped off to do by. This is an example of a company that has got it

right. It has the skills to find a profitable niche and can compete

globally. Its push into the night started with a invest Northern

Ireland trade mission, but the boss says that was only the beginning.

Cracking markets is hard work. In the year we were there at 12 times

before we got to the contract stage whether client. Any company

investing overseas, they have to put that commitment and dedication into

it. There is a huge cost involved in trying to win contracts on a global

basis, but I think if you are determined and you have the

resources, it is achievable. Exports are important because companies

cannot expand very much if they are only

cannot expand very much if they are local market. It was strength in

exports that help get the Republic's economy back contract.

This company has found a way to grow its export business, but that puts

it in a minority of local firms. Indeed, the number of firms

exporting has been falling in recent years. In 2008 the role must 1800

goods exporters. Last year numbers were below 1600. Why has our

performance been so under powered? were below 1600. Why has our

We have had a number of challenges, obviously the global downturn had a

major impact on some of our export markets. We have had the Eurozone

crisis which is caused uncertainty, and also currency fluctuations.

There have been factors outside our control, but we

There have been factors outside our of good exporters and companies

There have been factors outside our are achieving great things in export

markets. Some recent figures suggest things may be picking up, and

official surveys and reflect service sector exports. But it is a major

challenge to get more firms to be as export focused as this one.

Treatment for age-related hearing loss could be moved out of the

A pilot scheme is being designed which will allow patients to go to

a private provider with the bill paid by the health service.

Nearly 300,000 people in Northern Ireland are living with hearing

loss. Jim is one of them. Any treatment he gets takes place in the

Royal Victoria Austell in Belfast. We had good service until he

repairs, we travelled into Belfast and discovered that the out of hours

had ceased, it was no longer available, and have any treatment at

all we would have to make an appointment. He couldn't use the

form. I have to ring up, make an appointment, and the time wait, we

don't know. It is unknown. It can take months to get an assessment and

even longer to be fitted with a hearing aid. Not being able to

communicate for this long can take its toll. He would not hear someone

at the door, he would not hear the phone. If there was an alarm and I

was out of the house he would not hear anything at all. For the sake

of a few seconds to replace a little tube, that does not exist any

longer. You have to ring up. It is hoped the new scheme would change

all that, it would move age-related hearing loss out of the hospital and

into the high Street, treating it the way I cite deterioration is

currently managed. Win when people attend a hospital bed think of a

problem or complaint as a medical issue, whereas if they could seek

help or so assistance were locally, it does tend to remove the stigma

that a lot of people attach to hearing loss. Any new initiative

would have to make sure it is value for money, but is also effective in

terms of the clinical effectiveness, and would mean that it is providing

a service that is appropriate. Using the private sector to reduce waiting

lists is not new, but moving care away from hospitals and onto the

high street could be a more significant shift. When the pilot

will take place is yet to be confirmed.

Weekend Remembrance commemorations concentrated

on the military who died in the World Wars and other conflicts.

This year also marks the centenary of another front line unit.

The St John Ambulance set up a field hospital to treat casualties from

Mervyn Jess met a Larne woman who has compiled

Isabel Apsley is a member of the St John Ambulance but is also the owner

of her own museum dedicated to the history of this voluntary service

organisation. Amongst the many artefacts she has gathered over the

years is an album of photographs recording the nursing

organisation's First World War field hospital in the front line in

France. At the beginning of the war St John Ambulance volunteers to

supply a hospital. The War office accepted the offer and by September

19 15, 100 years ago, the hospital was ready for the intake of

patients. It was among several voluntary hospitals on the site, but

this one had a strong local connection. Hospitals were sponsored

by donations from people across Ireland. And medical staff from

Alsace and further afield served in it. Three of the sisters were from

Ireland. One of them, Molly McGuinness, was from Ballykelly, and

she actually got the military medal after the second bombing incident.

The hospital was bombed? Yes, the hospital was bombed in 1818 has was

the entire hospital complex at the time. This is the ECG machine. The

doctor took his own ECG machine to the hospital from Belfast. This is a

Belfast man. At any one given time out of the 18 medical officers based

at that hospital, four of them would have been from the Belfast area.

After the war the hospital was demobbed, but the medical expertise

was not wasted. A dozen boxes of x-ray plates were shipped to the

anatomy department at Queens University, and the laboratory

equipment was purchased with funds raised in County Antrim and donated

to a pathology unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Remembering the work of medics during the world wars.

The Northern Ireland football team is at Belfast City Hall tonight -

The Northern Ireland team that has made it to next summer's Euro 2016

tournament are all here in Belfast this evening.

They are special guests at a reception at City Hall being

I'll be joined by Manager Michael O'Neill later.

Glentoran named former Manchester City player and Republic

of Ireland International Alan Kernaghan as their new manager.

He's on an 18 month contract - and has ambitious plans.

This is the new manager, and he is demanding success. We have been

struggling this season but one at the weekend, and the new manager has

high expectations. Silverware, certainly. Getting really close to

the league title would be a major plus for us. But failing that, we

can still do better in Europe and we have done so just a general

progression, getting in the top two would be a major start. Although he

played for Northern Ireland at underage level, he was ineligible to

play at senior level... But he was qualified to play for the Republic

of Ireland and down to 22 caps. More recently he coached at Rangers and

the IFA, but could he win the league with The headlines:? -- Glentoran?

Next season I would definitely hope to be in the top to at least. His

first assignment this weekend will be against the

first assignment this weekend will again at the weekend. The roles of

three goals from Darren McAuley, this one the pick of the bunch.

Rory McIlroy continues to lead the standings in the Race to Dubai

after his 11th place finish at the WGC Champions tournament Shanghai.

His final round of 66, or six under par, yesterday left him

11 under for the tournament - six shots behind the eventual

Belfast Boxer Jamie Conlan is targeting a World Title fight in the

next 12 months after a comfortable victory in Dublin on Saturday night.

The super-flyweight comfortably overcame his Argentinean opponent

Working the pad before entering the ring, Jamie Conlan had a point to

prove. Knock down twice in his last bout, the 29-year-old picked himself

up to win impressively on points. He was taking no chances this time

round. The gulf in class between Intercontinental champion and a

South American opponent was obvious as common controlled the fight. --

Jamie Conlan controlled the fight. It's big. Especially after this we

have plans for big things. We're in a good position with the WBO, number

five in the world. It was only in a ground fight, but if I had lost a

thing would have been down. A loss as the worst thing that can happen.

How far do you think a title shot is for yourself? And don't forget is

that far. I plan to get it hopefully in the next 12 or 18 months. As he

steps up in class, he is a world-class fighter. We would hope

for the world title, a meaningful fight, just keep progressing and

developing him as a fighter and building him up the rankings.

Ultimately wants to fight for the world title and be world champion.

Allan McGregor is a mixed martial arts star in the USC. It

Allan McGregor is a mixed martial see. I wanted to come and support

this. It was packed tonight. Hopefully this is the start of

many. What did you Hopefully this is the start of

performance? He was good, clean, some good, great fights. Jamie

performance? He was good, clean, Conlan has gained a superstar

fanning Colin McGregor. It is now 15 fights and 15 wins. His next boat

looks to be the biggest of his career. He would be back in the ring

and fully in February hopefully fighting for a world title. Michael

O'Neill is still making his fighting for a world title. Michael

so we have a different guest. Great to be in City Hall tonight. Hasn't

sunk in what you and your players have achieved? - people are aware of

the achievement of the lads. To come and listen to them, it shows that

the staff but was on the background can come together. It is nice to

celebrate the achievement, but this is just the start. Yammer on of

friendlies before the Euros. We don't get that many opportunities

for international, it is a chance for the manager to bring us

together. It will give us food for thought for squad selections. We

will have a couple of games before the team is announced. All the boys

array to go for these friendlies. Have you allowed yourself to dream

who you might draw in the group stages for the Euros? I think last

time Northern Ireland qualified was even born. Just to be there and get

the opportunity to play against world players would be

unbelievable. You're making me feel old! Fights for joining us, and we

will hear from Michael O'Neill on our lead built on this evening.

Northern Ireland will be playing in a new strip this Friday night

against Latvia. It was revealed today, has been not been that

popular with the fans that we have canvassed in an online poll, 73% of

you said you unfortunately did not like it. But who cares as long as

they win? Now let's get the weather. We have

some lively weather heading our way, as if today was not lively enough!

We're expecting some strong winds throughout the week. Some spells of

rain but mainly quite mild. At least up until Thursday. A cold snap on

Friday and unsettled again for the weekend. Not only have we had the

wind, we have had the cloud and spells of rain. Still quite blustery

for applying this evening. The breeze continues to ease a little

through the course of the night but stays down with rain and drizzle

pushing through. More persistent rain in the north and West. It is a

mild night, 1213 Celsius. As you going to tomorrow, more rain in the

forecast. The breeze still quite noticeable. Some dry spells towards

the south-east. Most of the rain in the North and West. As the weather

front moves and that will gather and push into the Western counties later

in the morning and then continues to track towards the Eastern counties.

Some places may stay damp later in the afternoon. Elsewhere, drier

weather comes in behind, the odd right lens before the sun sets. It

will be a bright day, possibly even 17 Celsius. Tomorrow night is

slightly different. Fewer showers, dry weather, still breezy but it can

become cool in the countryside. Wednesday may be the quietest day of

the week. Still a breeze and some showers, but some dry and bright

gaps and it will feel fresh. It all changes again through the latter

part of the week with some wet and windy weather to move in on

Thursday, perhaps gale-force winds, and a cold snap sets in

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