11/12/2015 BBC Newsline

The headlines on BBC Newsline: The controversial lifetime ban

on gay men giving blood - it could soon be lifted.

How organ donation by this little girl gave new life to four people.

It's the only thing that rings me comfort and pride in what Erin has

done. I am so proud of her. As the flood water keeps rising

in County Fermanagh, a minister says they're doing

all they can to help. It's going to be a long-running

problem, there isn't an engineering solution.

Northern shoppers bring a Christmas boost to towns across the border.

I'm here in Paris ahead of Michael O'Neill's European draw.

And rain is in the forecast this weekend as well as a

I'll be back with the details later in the programme.

The Health Minister says he believes the lifetime ban on gay men donating

blood should be lifted if experts say that it's safe.

Simon Hamilton's DUP colleague and predecessor Edwin Poots

controversially kept the ban in place when it was removed

in Britain saying it was to ensure patient safety.

Appeal Court judges are considering whether a blood

donation policy is a devolved matter or whether a decision should be made

But who donates blood in Northern Ireland

While a lifetime ban on gay men donating was lifted in the rest

of the UK in 2011, it remains in place here.

Former Health Minister Edwin Poots said it was

But after an appeal, judges described the decision

as irrational and infected by apparent bias.

Currently judges are considering if the Health Minister here has

the right to determine blood donation policy

or if it's a decision for Westminster.

Rules in England, Scotland and Wales allow blood from men whose last

sexual contact with another man was more than a year ago.

Today the Health Minister signalled we may soon follow suit.

He's requested a fresh report from an expert panel and says

if it shows blood safety has increased in Great Britain,

Northern Ireland should adopt the same policy on blood donations

There is emerging evidence which suggests blood safety has increased

in Great Britain. I have written to the secretary for State for health

and suggested we undertake work to look at the edition around evidence.

If that confirms blood safety has increased in great as a result of

the deferral, we should adopt the same policy here in respect of

donations from men who have sex with men.

This indicates a change of approach and that has to be welcomed. We look

forward to working with the Minister on the blood and and other

inequalities and hope he is as open to the scientific evidence on other

issues as he is to the blood ban. marks a significant shift

from his predecessors. It may also mean that the decision

of this court on who has the final like Northern Ireland

is going to lift the lifetime ban. Earlier Mr Hamilton told me

he believes the restriction should go if the advisory group

on the issue, known as SABTO, I think it's important that whenever

the court comes to its decision as to whether it is me or the Secretary

of State for Health in London who takes this decision, we are armed

with the most up to date evidence to take this important decision around

the policy of deferral for donations, and I have always been

consistent in wanting to ensure patient safety, that is the most

important thing, that those receiving blood know it is safe but

I will always be guided by the evidence, which is why I have

written to Jeremy Hunt asking for this work. So if there is better

screening and that limit is decreased, should Marilyn change

accordingly? -- Northern Ireland change? I will be gathered by the

evidence, it is important to listen to health fashion dolls and

scientists and what they say about evidence. I don't want to get into

hypotheticals about what might happen in the future, but I want to

see the evidence from Great Britain, and if that is right it is proper we

move in that Wrexham. Why are you different from your predecessors in

that role who didn't take that opinion? I think my predecessors

have always wanted to ensure patient safety is to the fore, and Great

Britain moved with advance of many other places. Yet in regard to Edwin

Poots, aged said his decision was a rational and appeared to be based on

bias. That was what the judge said but I think my predecessors, and I

base our decisions on available evidence and that is what I am

asking for. If that evidence is that a one-year deferral is appropriate

and helps blood safety standards, it is right to follow that. What time

frame are you talking about? When will you get that piece of work and

make that decision? SABTO have been looking at this on an ongoing basis

so I don't think this will take a lot of time. If they can provide

that evidence quickly, that will allow Jeremy Hunt or I, whichever of

us has the responsibility, to follow that evidence as soon as a judgment

can be made. The ministers speaking to me earlier.

A BBC journalist has appeared in court in Londonderry

Sean O'Halloran is 29 and from Northland Road.

He's accused of raping a woman in May last year and two charges

The Radio Foyle journalist was remanded on bail.

A senior police officer has been suspended following an investigation

by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

It is understood Superintendent Gerry Murray,

who is head of Road Policing, was suspended from his

The 60-year-old, who recently featured in a BBC documentary,

is one of the longest serving police officers in Northern Ireland.

Families are being encouraged to have an important discussion

today about their wishes on organ donation.

Immediately after a person dies is often the worst time to be

certain about making the right decision.

Susan Bonar from Ballycarry in County Antrim knows

Her five-year-old daughter Erin died in March, but quite by chance they'd

broached the subject of organ donation.

Will Leitch has been hearing about the little girl

Little Erin Bonar was full of life - a tomboy, obsessed

with superheroes, Spiderman, riding her bike at breakneck speed

She was absolutely full of fun and really kind and loving and always

doing stuff to help other people when she could. She was very brave

and a little bit crazy sometimes but it made us laugh all the more. You

always knew when she was in the house. Yes, if it was quiet you

began to worry. One day she saw an advert on TV

about organ donation, and started discussing

it with her parents. She just sort of announced that

if anything ever happened to her, she would like to give her whole

body away to help other children. We were astounded by this revelation

but didn't think much of it afterwards.

In fact she was so sure that she repeated it to her granny

a couple of days later to let her know that was what she was planning

Then one weekend last March, suddenly, an infection

caused her brain to swell and Erin passed away.

For Susan, that conversation months before suddenly fell into place.

I'm just really thankful that we had that conversation with Erin

because we found out from that terrible experience that it is not

You are too much in shock to make rational decisions like that,

so it's important to make the decisions now before anything

happens so you know your loved one's wishes.

Erin's organs have given life to three little boys

It's the only thing that rings me comfort and pride, that what Erin

has done, I am so proud of her. Without that, what do I have? It's

the one thing that keeps me going, especially at this time of year and

am conscious that if it wasn't for Erin's it could have been for other

families spending this Christmas without a loved one, and I cannot

stress enough how proud I am of her and how much comfort it brings to

our family. Erin Bonar,

full of life, and a life-saver. The Minister for Agriculture

and Rural Development was in Enniskillen today to commend

the work of staff dealing with the high water

levels in Lough Erne. Michelle O'Neill said flooding

was an ongoing problem that Here's our south west

reporter Julian Fowler. Work carried out here

after the floods in 2009 has kept But a short distance away it's

a different picture, and the water is

still slowly rising. The minister said everything

possible is being done One of the things the task

force in 2009 highlighted was that there isn't an engineering

solution to the problem It's going to be a long-running

problem. It's going to be here forever

and a day, so what we need to do is make sure we tackle the issues

when we can with things like raising But it's frustrating for people

to deal with what they're told A report into the flooding into

thousand nine owned it was not the way the waters here are managed but

the narrow channels through Enniskillen and belief which hold

back the water. To increase the capacity, the report said, would be

environmentally and financially unviable --.

And more rainfall this weekend could pose further challenges.

Still to come on the programme tonight: An interest rate record

for the banks here, but not one to attract the customers.

The Irish government has given gifts to the outgoing

First Minister Peter Robinson at his last meeting

of the north-south ministerial council.

It seemed to be a jovial affair when the politicians from north

Our political correspondent Chris Page was there.

Another photocall on something of a farewell tour.

There was a time when the DUP wouldn't attend

But today was all about humour rather than hostility.

Peter Robinson even shared a joke about a Republican slogan,

as Martin McGuinness reflected that all political careers

So my day too will come at some stage, but I think

I'm delighted to see that your Irish is improving!

And it may once have been unthinkable that a DUP leader

would get a leaving present from the Irish Government.

But the Taoiseach gave Mr Robinson nine volumes of

You reckon I will have some free time? Thank you.

Enda Kenny also handed the First Minister two tickets

to watch his favourite football team, Spurs,

This summit has featured gift-giving, backslapping and warm

words. It has almost that big a cross-border Christmas do, but after

the congratulations welcome the contest. Old litters and there will

taste the electorate next year with elections held both north and south.

-- old politicians. Towns across the border are getting

a Christmas bonus with many northern With a pound worth almost one euro

40 cent, there can be savings to be had as our business correspondent

Julian O'Neill reports. There's good reason for a festive

cheer in Dundalk. Stores report an uplift in Northern shoppers thanks

to Stirling's continued strength against the euro. It's a nice onus

when you get it but the local trade is what keeps you here 12 months of

the year, so it is a nice change to see them come down. There is a

difference. The low euro can work in the favour of price conscious

shoppers. A bottle of vodka for ?21 in your rate is ?1 cheaper in

Dundalk. The same perk you up ?68 in Newry was cheaper in Dundalk at ?64

once converted. We also price check a leading brand's tablet. At ?319 in

the sterling zone, it was ?25 cheaper when bought in the South in

euros. There is a double bounce for the Republic's border retailers, not

just more Northern customers but fewer of their own shoppers spending

outside the euro zone. According to one AA survey the number of people

travelling north to shop is that a seven year low and has been dropping

steadily since the recession in 2008. You have to hold onto your

own, it is like the old, so we were glad to win our own home supporters

and then look for other supporters from Newry or what down. In Newry,

eight new stores have recently opened in one of its shopping

centres and southern customers still travel, just fewer of them. At the

minute we are under the cosh but seven or eight years ago we were the

beneficiaries of the disparity in the exchange rate then, so we get on

with it. Older businesses have lived through this beef or and the town

has adapted to the ups and downs of currency Markets. In Newry we have

worked at prices through the years. You don't retail in Newry, you trade

and you have to keep customers happy. Retailers have already

battled hard to survive the recession, now border traders face

another challenge to ensure Christmas delivers the bumper payday

that shops on. With the Bank of England keeping

interest rates at a record low, it's difficult for savers to get

a good return on their money. Where you keep your

money is also a factor. The spotlight has been put on four

bank groups here that are offering Northern Ireland's it at banks and

building societies have been giving savers next to nothing. The body

that regulates banks isn't happy about it, so it has named and shamed

them. The three worst rates in the UK are from Danske Bank, the Ulster

Bank and Progressive Building Society Thomas, all offering less

than 0.01%, and First Trust also offers a low rate. To put that in

context, if I put 100 homes into any of those accounts, after one year of

doubling interest, this is the prize haul I would receive for all my hard

saving. So four of the worst rates in the UK are with Northern Ireland

banks, so our customers switching? I certainly would, every year or two

years. No, I would just go for it is better customer service because how

long you have to wait, you have to get an appointment to get a bank

account. What you look for? Hidden fees and yearly charges, things like

that, and if they get too expensive I switch. The bank all told me this

list only shows one of their accounts and better rates are

available. Northern Irish people are generally cautious about switching,

if people are prepared to shop around for a deal, banks and

building societies would need to follow suit. Thanks he lost the most

after the housing crash and savers here are still paying the price for

that with low interest rates on lots of accounts -- banks here lost the

most. Last year one of the longest serving

BBC cameramen retired from his post in Belfast and today

he received an MBE. Peter Cooper was given the honour

by the Prince of Wales For more than 40 years

the cameraman captured images of many significant events

which were seen by people around We weren't given the soundtrack of

what Peter and the Prince said, but they clearly had a bit to talk and

laugh about. There'll be a lot to talk

about among football fans tomorrow night when the draw

for the Euro Finals takes place. Both Northern Ireland

and the Republic have qualified to play in France -

opposition and venues Mark Sidebottom is here

with this evening's sport. By this time tomorrow, all will be

revealed, Northern Ireland in the Euro final straw for the first time.

Martin O'Neill, who never made it as player, has as a manager.

BBC Newsline has travelled with O'Neill to Paris and a short

time ago Joel Taggart caught up with the manager.

In less than 24 hours Northern Ireland know who they will play in

their first appearance at the Euro championship finals. Michael O'Neill

and his players have been waiting a couple of months and they secured

their qualifications to find out who they will play, and when he got

there he gave us his lots. I'm looking for to the draw tomorrow. It

will be exciting and hopefully favourable. All of us have been

scribbling what we think is the best and worst case scenario. Have you

been doing that or is it a case of seeing what's out there? No, I have

looked at different teams and different pots. I wouldn't say there

is a team I would especially want or avoid but we will see what comes, we

have played a lot of big teams so we'll be ready for what comes out.

Is England won that you would want to avoid or not mind? It is not a

game I would really like because the nature is to home nations, it may

overshadow the other two games, at the end of the day three points are

available in every game and we have to try to get out of the group, so

it is not a game I would pick but if there are drawn with England we will

look forward to it. Michael O'Neill there. Looking forward to the draw.

Martin O'Neill get there tomorrow. In the draw itself, Northern Ireland

and the Republic cannot be drawn together in the same group because

they are in the same pot of suited teams. The drop tomorrow is live on

BBC Radio Ulster and on BBC Two from around 5:15pm.

And reaction from both the managers over the weekend.

Rory McIlroy and partner Erica Stoll were among the guests attending

a high profile sporting "engagement" in Belfast last night.

The charity ball was organised by former Ulster and Ireland

Golf's hottest property told BBC Newsline's Stephen Watson,

It's really important to me and over the past few years it has become

increasingly difficult, so any time I get to spend at home I relish it

and enjoy it and make sure I have a good time with friends and family,

just not that much football this year. And with a new fiance,

congratulations. Yeah, everything in my life is going great. I couldn't

be more happy without this season ended and the year has ended,

looking for it to a great 2016. Does Erica enjoy coming to Northern

Ireland? She loves it here. We have become quite close with daddy and

Tina, -- Paddy. Every time we come back she is becoming more comparable

and getting to know more people. What's likely to be a defining few

weeks for Ulster rugby begins in Belfast this evening -

lose at home to Toulouse and it's practically curtains

in the European Champions Cup Ulster are bottom of pool one

with a game in hand. They are dangerous across the park,

it is an exciting challenge ahead of us but we have to stand up in this

competition and despite the set acts we have had, we've got to challenge

ourselves to stand up to it. It's exciting.

He goes by the name of "Notorious" and says he's out to conquer

In the wee small hours of Saturday morning,

will take on Jose Aldo of Brazil in Las Vegas for the UFC

He's brash, he's loud and in UFC he's loved

Ireland's Conor McGregor goes back into the Octagon tomorrow

It's up there with one of the biggest fights in combat sport

history, it may surpass the hundred million dollar mark in revenue, so

it will be numbered to in bite revenue of all time in, sport, so

it's a big one, like the old are when I'm involved.

In champion Jose Aldo, he faces a man unbeaten in a decade.

But defeat for McGregor is simply unthinkable.

It does not register, it does not come into the equation. If I do not

see it, it does not happen, so I simply see victory. I see dominance,

a clear-cut first round KO. Champion of the world, Conor McGregor!

Middle distance runner Ciara Mageean has

qualified for the Rio Olympic Games next summer after the IAAF lowered

the qualifying standard for the women's 1500 metres.

Too few athletes were making the original qualifying time of

four minutes six seconds, so the benchmark was extended

The Portaferry athlete twice ran inside the new mark

Winner of a world junior silver medal five years ago,

a foot injury ruled her out of the 2012 London Olympics

That's your sport on a busy Friday. The weather is next. We have a messy

forecast coming up tracking areas of rain, rain fall for the call for

areas like Fermanagh -- critical. No weather warnings yet for Northern

Ireland but there are warnings for the Republic of Ireland, so heavy

rain will not be far away. It is chilly tonight with starry skies,

cold for the Ulster match and you make glimpse a meteor shower over

the next few nights. Showers are easing away, temperatures will get

close to freezing so some frost reflate the four weather system

moves into Southern counties, and the risk a risk of snow in places

tomorrow, mainly over high round but there could be sleet at lower

levels. Tomorrow we have warm air meeting cold air, sunshine over

Scotland, warm and wet across the South including the Republic, but in

between there will be that risk of snow. Tomorrow morning mainly

Fermanagh, Armagh and County Down will see heaviest rain, snow on the

boards before it clears away, and the afternoon will be dry and

brighter. One or two showers but not as many and today, and the breeze

will be less light than today, so although the temperatures will be

similar it should not feel as better, but of course we will have

clear skies tomorrow and it means temperatures continue to fall away.

Tomorrow night there could be a sharp frost, and that frost may

still be around on Sunday morning. The next weather system comes north

on Sunday, so to begin with it is dry, another few hours of wet

weather, some have even earthed in the West but it does not last that

long, so it looks like it will stay and settled into next week. And that

was BBC Newsline. Bye-bye. Sometimes, all that's needed

is a helping hand.