09/12/2015 BBC Newsline

Good evening, the headlines on BBC Newsline.

Warnings over further flooding as the waters continue

I live in and the skill in where efforts are continuing to try and

avert the disruption caused by the rising water.

Arlene Foster says she can work with Sinn Fein.

Oil prices plummet but will we feel the benefit at the pumps

And thankfully rainfall amounts will be reduced over the next few

days, but it's going to get much colder.

20 roads in Fermanagh have been closed because of flooding.

And the Rivers Agency has warned that there could be

more because of heavy rain forecast tonight.

The authorities have urged motorists and pedestrians not to attempt

to drive or walk through flood water.

Our reporter in the west, Julian Fowler is in Enniskillen.

The flooding at the beginning of the week was caused by the torrential

rain from storm Desmond. All that water is making its way into Lough

Erne and the levels are slowly rising. I'm standing aside the

shopping centre, an area that has badly affected by flooding six years

ago but the road here was raised, flood defences were putting and the

Rivers Agency are pumping the water and keeping the road open.

Disruption elsewhere in the county is being caused by the rising water.

Water is slowly rising around the Ark in this children's playground.

You would think boats would come in useful but Marina businesses the

lock shorts are the of flooding. Last night there was another inch at

least. The shed is flooded again. Another eight inches, it will be as

bad as 2009. These boats may look afloat but they are actually on

trailers in the car park. For the workshop here, it is flooded again.

The 2009 mark there. We left a lot of both out for the winter. The men

are working towards the end of the season. There is nothing we can do.

The lads have to be laid off. It is part of our income. It leads us into

march again. Two rows that cross over the loss that Lough Erne were

raised after the 2009 flood. But it has been closed to cars. A few days

ago she'd bring these fields, now there are swans. The water had also

risen at this activity centre. The fitness room was underwater on

Monday, today the pumps were still doing their job. With warnings of

further flooding the emergency services are preparing for the

worst. The level has now stabilised, around

20 centimetres or nine inches below the 2009 peak. With further heavy

rain forecast, they are warning about the possibility of further

flooding and safe while the water is being discharged through the

hydroelectric dams as fast as possible, that can't necessarily

prevent water in the Pearl -- Rivers from rising quickly.

The 24-hour flooding incident line is on the screen.

Meanwhile in county down an investigation has begun

into a crash which saw a bus leave the road and end up in the sea.

It happened this morning on the Ards Peninsula,

as the bus was travelling from Newtownards along

Only this morning on the shores of Strangford Lough, the bus was

travelling on the main coastal road. It hit this war, careered across the

road and went over. There was a big drop before it landed on its wheels.

The driver suffered only minor injuries, there were no passengers

on board. There were no other vehicles involved. The damage to the

bus was extensive on the front and underneath. The beginning of the

recovery operation was swift but not quick enough to beat the incoming

tide. The rising waters submerging most of the vehicle. The best that

should've been full of passengers by then filling up with water. That

meant the onshore recovery services needed help from sea rescue experts.

As the operation and folded the force of the tide becoming

increasingly evident. A difficult recovery demanding a close

inspection. The rugged shoreline proved to be challenging. Strength

and power succeeded, hauling the bus onto the shore. Around one o'clock

come over six and a half hours after the crash, the recovery operation

was over and the investigation was beginning.

Two award winning O'Neill men and what they think

of a possible match between their teams.

Arlene Foster, as expected, is to become the new leader

Talk of a leadership contest all but evaporated this morning

when one possible contender said he wouldn't be putting

And no-one else did either by the time the five o'clock

Our political editor Mark Devenport is at Stormont.

On Monday night Peter Robinson used social media to reveal Arlene Foster

had the backing of more than three quarters of the DUP politicians

At five o'clock this evening he took to his Twitter account again

to confirm Mrs Foster will face no competition and the leadership race

My colleague Mark Simpson has this report on Arlene Foster's final

engagements as today's DUP deadline loomed.

Ali Foster will share control with Martin McGuinness. It is such a far

cry from Good Friday 1988. Since then, she has changed parties and in

the wake of subsequent agreements changed their attitude to Sinn Fein.

How does she feel about working with Martin McGuinness?

I've worked with scent fame, they have a mandate in terms of the

numbers they have. I've worked there since 2007 as Minister for the

environment and then for the enterprise. I will continue to work

for what is right for Northern Ireland and what is good for the

people of Northern Ireland. It is very welcome that a woman is leader.

I am supportive of that. Sammy Wilson had been tempted to run

for leader, very tempted to decide this morning not to put his name

forward. Nigel Dodds made the same decision on Monday and so with none

of the MPs wanting the top job, the outcome was a formality. This

evening, Peter Robinson confirmed the news on social media. The period

for nominations has now closed, only one nomination that of us is Arlene

Foster, has been received. Here at party headquarters, they are

preparing for change. Arlene Foster is expected to be confirmed by the

party Executive as the new DUP they do next week but she won't take over

as First Minister immediately. The full handover will take place on the

11th of January. Then in May, that is the Assembly election. The first

big test for the new leader isn't far-away.

What can we expect from a foster leadership? Arlene Foster says it'll

be more of the same. She is presenting herself as the continuity

candidate. In terms of style committees were to

be different quite obviously. She is going to be our first woman First

Minister and she is also, as Mark was mentioning, got the history of

having been a member of the Ulster Unionist Party. She's got an

understanding of both the named parties. -- main parties. She might

be appealing to traditional Ulster Unionists supporters.

She will face that early talent in May but Mike Assembly elections. She

will have her work in fact replicating the DUP's success at the

last Assembly elections where they got 38 seats. What she has to do

during May is to retain the position of the DUP being the biggest party

in Northern Ireland if that doesn't happen, if Sinn Fein was to take

that position, Martin McGuinness will be First Minister. That will

pose some difficulty for DUP members. In order to keep the DUP

top of the pile she has to the the challenge to the Ulster Unionists

who have showing -- are showing signs of as agents. But the parties

like TUV who hope to make gains and build on the sense of

disillusionment there has been about the whole Stormont set up during

those days of ministers breakdowns at Stormont.

We will be looking at the rise of Arlene Foster from student activist

party leader. The price of petrol could

fall before Christmas because of a worldwide drop

in the price of oil. It could mean hundreds of pounds

worth of savings for the consumers if the price is

reflected at the pump. But it's not good news for everyone

as our reporter Helen Jones has This is a graph on the face of it it

is good news for consumers. The price of oil has plummeted, falling

off a cliff edge. In 2011 the price of a barrel of oil was 120 US

dollars. Today, it is 40 US dollars. If the retailers pass on the savings

it could mean a drop of three Good news for people

who drive for a living. How much will you save? Over a year?

A few hundred pounds. 380 litres every two days. That is a big

saving, around ?1800 a year. Oil is shipped and stored

here at Belfast port. Globally there's too

much oil being produced. That's why the price

has been slashed. You can expect a cut

to home heating oil too. We have seen a 30% drop from last

year. If it continues to fall and these places continue to be passed

on the Cubans -- consumer they could make savings. The oil producers are

struggling to maintain profit margins as they have to compete and

prices. The could be job cuts in oil producers.

Back at the pump and news of a potential pre-Christmas

Probably another ?20 a month. It should be good. All helps. I could

think of plenty of things to do without! A reduction in anything

helps everyone. More children's presents. Will the drop in price of

oil be reflected on the forecourts? That is in the hands of the

retailers. Smoking in cars in Northern Ireland could be banned. It

will be illegal to smoke when children are present. A similar ban

came into force in England and Wales in October. Behaviour like this

could soon be outlawed. Smoking in a car carrying children is already an

offence in England and Wales. They're adults face penalties of

?50. The health minister think we should follow suit. Anybody who

smokes in a confined space like a car with children in that car is an

idiot. Given the multiplicity of evidence there is about the damage

that smoking does to individuals themselves, in particular the impact

it can have on young children. Scotland plans to legislate on the

issue next year and the Republic is due to bring a banner to force soon.

But the problem is enforcing it. It is a bit like like smoking in pubs

and restaurants. There had to be enforcements but now we have levels

of enforcements. The Department of Health and campaigners say that is

strong evidence, second-hand smoke affects children's health. Some say

the ban is a step too far curtailing people's personal freedom, some

smokers on the streets of Belfast agree with the move. At the end of

the day, it really doesn't take that want to stop for a quick cigarette

break. Just to save a child with all sorts of problems. If kids inhaling

it, what'll happen to the kids. If we're getting it bad, the kids are

getting it bad. The legislation going through the Assembly still has

a long way to go but if it is approved the ban could come into

effect this time next year. The family of Sinn Fein official

and republican informer Denis Donaldson is to take legal

action against the Gardai They accuse the Irish police

of failing to properly investigate his killing in a remote

cottage in County Donegal in April 2006, and allegations that PSNI

officers may have This is the remote cottage where

Denis Donaldson was shot dead. It was revealed he'd been working as a

spy for the police and MI5 for 25 years. Three years earlier he'd been

accused of running and IRA spy ring at the heart of the local government

after the police raided Sinn Fein's offices at Stormont. The charges

against the wealth that whilst Belfast man was dropped. But his

secret life was exposed. His family alleges offices may have contributed

to his death by blowing his cover. There are many questions remaining

and answered. Nearly ten years later, this afternoon the inquest

into his death was adjourned for the 17th time. The gardai ask for more

time to complete their investigation. The coriander

described the Germans as unprecedented. The family is now

going to take the case to Strasberg. They claim the gardai has broken...

They said there should be an independent investigation into

killings by the state. They wanted to large proceedings with the

European Court in Strasborg, challenging the fact they haven't

had an article to compliant inquest or investigation into Denis

Donaldson's death to stop police ombudsman is investigating the

allegation that the officers may have contributed to Denis

Donaldson's death. His report is expected to be

published early next year. A student has been cleared

of causing the death of a baby in a car crash in Fermanagh

nearly three years ago. 25-year-old John Fahy from Sligo

denied that he was to blame for a collision in which

19-month-old Ryan Cox was killed. His mother who was driving

was seriously injured. Lisa McAlister reports

from Dungannon Crown Court. 25-year-old John Fahy was in his

final year at Ulster University at the time of the crash. Today he was

acquitted of two charges of causing death and grievous bodily injury by

careless driving. 19-month-old Ryan Cox died in the crash in January 20

13. His parents cried as the jury's unanimous verdict was delivered

today. Both John Fahy and Ryan's mother were also badly injured in

the crash. During the trial, prosecutors had argued either

through inexperience of the steering, John Fahy had lost control

of his car. He told the court he remembered he drove around the bend

before the crash, you noticed the car in his lane and he remembered

flashing his lights. The architecture students plans to

return to university. Back now to the future of the DUP,

and she was the young Ulster Unionist who's now set,

unopposed, to become Arlene Foster joined the DUP

when she parted ways over Now she'll lead in government

with Sinn Fein and as our political correspondent Chris Page reports,

she and her family had direct experience of the Troubles

as she grew up. When she was eight, her father,

a part-time police officer, Ten years later, she

was on this school bus. The IRA risked dozens of young lives

as they attempted to kill the driver.

The future DUP leader spoke to the BBC about the bombing

There was two or three seconds silence and everybody started to

scream. I got up and said, don't panic, don't panic. Everybody get

out. There were more signs

of leadership a few years later. Having been prominent in student

politics at Queen's, she chaired the youth

branch of the UUP. As Mrs Foster's work

as a solicitor developed, She was one of a number of young UUP

members who became opposed to She explained why to the political

programme Hearts and Minds. I've been called an extremist, a

hardliner when all I've wanted to see is stable governments brought to

Northern Ireland and real politics and real change.

Mrs Foster and Jeffrey Donaldson were leading critics

It was a few weeks after Mrs Foster had been elected to the Assembly.

I was faced with a decision. I ever remain we'd been the Ulster

Unionists or IDE. I left. That led me to another decision. I believe

that Democratic Unionist party is that the mainstream Unionist party

in Northern Ireland. And the DUP continued to grow,

along with the reputation When devolution was restored

Mrs Foster was made Environment Minister,

then Enterprise Minister. The job of selling Northern Ireland

to investors brought with it countless photocalls

and a high profile. We did it! On-time and on budget and

I'm absolutely delighted. And earlier this year,

she was appointed Finance Minister. But there's been another

hint about her destiny. Peter Robinson has twice put

Mrs Foster temporarily The second occasion was this autumn,

when most DUP ministers resigned But she was criticised

by nationalists for this remark. I'm not a debate at risk people of

Northern Ireland the possibility that rogue Sinn Fein as a renegade

Minister will take decisions that will harm the community in Northern

Ireland. I am gatekeeper, that is my role and I take it seriously.

However, at the recent DUP conference, Mrs Foster was received

With humility and hardware, we will prevail. Thank you.

There'll be more applause and adulation in the next few weeks.

But after the congratulations, will come the contest,

not for the DUP leadership, but for votes in the Assembly

Both Martin and Michael O'Neill have welcomed the idea of a friendly

between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland before

The two managers were honoured today as Philips Irish Sports managers

It's the first time in the award's history that a Northern Ireland

football manager has been recognised by the judging panel comprising

Something unique are put in Dublin today and that is both these

gentlemen were awarded joint Philips Irish Sports Manager of the Year

Award. No Northern Ireland manager has been honoured before. How big a

day is this for you? It is great, I am so honoured to be here today. The

number of sports that have been represented throughout the year. It

is nice to come back year after a four-year absence and get the annual

award. Martin, a good deal -- Dave Foley O'Neills. I am going to check

if we are related in some way. Michael's achievement is fantastic,

genuinely fantastic. A great effort to get through that group. It is

very rewarding. I sat there about an hour ago, I was very envious. We

still have play-off matches to go through. If both FA 's were to come

together and you have both qualified to go in front of a crowd foreign

international warm up. Is there potential for that? I wouldn't have

a problem with that. As a player, I played in five of the six games and

qualifications. They were special games to be involved with. It aids

are of preparation and why not? There you have it, both managers and

up for it. We wish you well. Thank you very much. That is is from

Dublin. Seen Logan insists this site will

weather the current injury crisis. More than half a dozen key players

and rides including five International. Among them, Iain

Henderson. We went into last Friday's game with

93% of our players available. You plan on an injury rate of about 75,

80%. We have to cope. We have either injuries before. Players have to

play 100% maximum. We have a deep squad. Some of these injuries and an

opportunity for somebody else. Sullivan Upper won school hockey's

McCullough Cup today with a dramatic 4-3 win over Wallace,

the winner coming 20 Time for the weather

forecast now with Cecilia. We've had some rough weather today.

Brain has been moving in from the west across parts of Fermanagh. That

is the last thing they need. It looks as though things will be dry

and over the next few days. Cold as well. This is today's weather system

making its way from the West. A short time ago, said intense

rainfall over Belfast. That will slide away. For the rest of the

night, the wind will drop. The servers will be short lived. It is

going to be quite cold, temperatures dropping down to single figures. We

will have some nice first thing tomorrow. That is the theme of the

next couple of days. Called berths with some showers around. The

showers will be coming in from the west. First thing tomorrow morning,

it is likely it will be dry over Belfast. You will need a big coat

because it will be chilly tomorrow. The wind making it feel cold. Those

sharp showers won't last long but they can still soak you. Today we

saw temperatures up to 12 degrees. Tomorrow they will be at 6 degrees.

Some frost, some ice and a little bit of snow lying on the hill tops.

On Friday, a similar day. Quite chilly, blustery but moving through

quickly. Some decent gaps in between. It isn't completely dry but

it is a break from the rain for parts of the West in particular. As

you move forward to the weekend, it starts drying but this is the area

of low pressure we were need to keep an eye on because a slow me think

area of rain will come northwards through Saturday night, into Sunday.

That will start as snow over the higher ground. That'll give us

flooding problems particularly on Sunday.

Our late summary is at 10.25pm.You can also keep in contact with us

via Facebook and Twitter. From BBC Newsline, goodnight.