11/02/2016 BBC Newsline

Tonight's top stories: Dealing with the past -

the Secretary of State accuses some of promoting a harmful version

The DUP deny blocking abortion change because of party politics.

I have a special report, about the Republic policy affecting the

campaign. Could cannabis oil, an illegal drug,

be helping to prolong the life Belfast traders say

chronic traffic congestion Ireland's rugby team head to France

with two big names returning for the Six Nations

showdown in Paris. And after another cold night,

tomorrow may not be quite as bright and cheery as it's been over

the last couple of days. The Secretary of State Theresa

Villiers says it's not true to say misconduct by the security forces

during the Troubles was rife. At an event about the past held

in Belfast today she praised the role of police

officers and soldiers - but accepted that some had

acted outside the law. Here is our Political

Correspondent Stephen Walker. Finding a way to deal with the

legacy of the Troubles is complicated. The Secretary of State

has it when it comes to the past, some people had been promoting the

narrative. We have acknowledged, as certain isolated cases, the state

was at fault, but I think it would be entirely wrong, to say that the

cover-up was endemic, the majority acted with professionalism. So has

too much focus been put on the state killings? The state is in place to

uphold the law, and if it breaks that, that is something different.

At the heart of the legacy, what information should be disclosed. The

Secretary of State thinks it has to be handled carefully. Techniques, in

use, during that period, that new bodies are going to be investigating

but it is still secret to this day. Edward assessed -- it would assist

terrorists. So are worries about security genuine? Whatever the

intelligence methods, being used, it is hardly the same approach, the

counterterrorism taken today. Dealing with Islamic State, so it

seems to be something of a diversion. ?150 million has been set

aside. That is going to include and investigations unit. But something

even that does not go far enough. To the general public, that can seem

like a vast amount of money, but 45 million is going to have to look at

the state, 1.5 million for each of the cases. Once the mathematics has

been done, 5 million life. How can that possibly examine 3000 murders?

If money is the issue, is it time to stop investigating? That is a

political question, it was put on the table, and the response, I think

it is a debate was having, but fundamentally, having to do with the

past, is for the politicians. Even though a political consensus has not

been achieved, and we're about to enter an assembly election campaign,

Theresa Villiers ended the speech with optimism. She said, Common

ground, and Adele on the past is achievable. -- a deal.

This had resulted in delays, to over 900 cases,

The DUP has denied using delaying cases, tactics over decisions

about abortion in the cases of fatal foetal abnormality.

The Health Minister Simon Hamilton told BBC Newsline the issue is too

important to be bound up in party politics.

Last night MLAs rejected an attempt to allow terminations in such cases

through an amendment to the Justice Bill.

Here's our political correspondent Gareth Gordon.

this is Sarah. Her plight began a debate. She wanted them to allow a

free vote, the Justice Bill could change the law, to allow abortions

in such cases. But the DUP decided to vote against the proposals,

ensuring it failed. 40 aye, 52 no. The DUP plans to set up a working

group, for six months. What about the women, pregnant, as a result of

rape? DUP going to tell them, a commission in six months? Bleak

house. Day after day... For a decision. It never comes. But there

was Minister denied crimes, his party has been stolen. -- stalling.

This is too important, to be bound by party politics, but the comments

of some today, it has probably taking them that is disappointing.

The next act is going to be played at the Court of Appeal, but the

ruling does not apply with the European Convention on Human Rights,

it is going to be challenged. We think once it is finished going

through the courts, it will have to come back to the assembly, assuming

that the judgment is upheld. The alliance MIA Said he will bring

forward a bill, and the eldest opportunity. This issue is not going

away. Still to come on BBC Newsline,

pioneering science in Belfast that A number of journalists have been

told they're under threat from criminal gangs in Dublin

following two recent killings. Our Dublin correspondent

Shane Harrison joins us. Breaking story. Independent news

media has issued a statement, telling us they are going to be

protecting a number of reporters from crime gangs. It takes an

interest, in the train scene, and Dublin, a number of staff present at

the Regency. That death was soon followed. The editor in chief, has

described this as an outrageous threat, not going to be detailed, it

is a breaking story, and political reaction. The Sinn Fein leader Gerry

Adams has condemned this development.

Meanwhile the Republic's election is now just over two weeks away.

Fianna Fail, who lost spectacularly in 2011,

launched its manifesto today promising to cut some taxes

Our Economics and Business editor has been having a look at how

recovery, that's largely centred on Dublin, is playing

" At the builders are back. Across the city centre, office blocks

springing up. Consumers, beginning to spend. Companies hiring. When the

coalition to control, unemployment was almost 15%. The government was

spending more than it was taking on, and the economy was really growing.

Today, unemployment is below 9%. This is probably the fastest growing

economy and you look. -- in Europe. At the peak of the boom, this man

employed 160 people. But then the business went into liquidation. Now

working on projects. He thinks that are going caution and the finance

minister deserve credit. Amazing job. He has got on with it. You're

not going to see him and pomposity. I think he has managed the economy

well. People forget what 2011 was like. Nobody knew what was going to

happen. The path has not been easy. Feel good factors still hard to

find. Many young people have been leaving, to look for work. Also the

perception that the recovery has only been filled by those working

for global firms. Is that the case? Not good in the west. Dublin

experiencing growth. But generally, other regions are experiencing that.

People in the city, feeling the worst of the housing crisis. Not

enough homes built. And more homeless people. This day centre

feeds hundreds. Not much sign of undercover life. -- a recovery. The

government has done nothing, for housing. The major coalition party,

pushing the message that only they can keep this going. Rivals say they

can produce a fairer recovery. There is a recovery under way. That should

give an advantage to the outgoing coalition. But so many people have

been scarred, the do not want to vote for establishment parties. That

makes the outcome uncertain. Coming up on the programme,

can anything be done to ease the traffic congestion that blights

so much of our road network? A man with a terminal brain tumour

says he believes cannabis oil has Even though it is illegal 38 year

old Kieran McCrory says he's A new campaign is underway today

for medical cannabis to be legalised Around 28,000 people

here are using it for medical reasons - but critics maintain

there is no evidence This man celebrated her birthday he

was not sure that he would say. The dotty durable, diagnosed with

alacrity, 2014, he was given at most, five years, having soldierly,

but cannabis has helped him come back. I am confident about the

future. The term... He's fighting cancer... I have something. Not

tablets. I have something. Not tablets. I want to stay alive. It is

illegal, to use cannabis for medical reasons, the government has called

it harmful, Cancer research said no evidence it can treat the disease.

Class B drug. You're breaking the law. Is that a worry? I understand

that. But what would anybody do? I've seen him back. I lost him. He's

back. That is what we want. His daughter. Myself. Family. Is that a

crime? A crime it's a crime! His long-term prognosis remains

unchanged, his focus is on looking forward to future birthdays.

A short time ago I spoke to Dr Emma Smith and asked her

if there's any evidence that cannabis oil works?

The evidence that we have, it is far from convincing. That does not mean

it is interesting, but the research we have today, it has been carried

out, cells, grown in laboratories, or on mice. Little evidence it could

be a benefit. So what research carried out, should we not have

more? One clinical trial, in Spain. It was people, with advanced

tumours, out of the ten, eight showed response. But sadly, after a

year, all had died. But they are actually funding the clinical trials

kingdom, one is forming a man made version, looking at advanced

tumours. Your advice, not to use it? The advice, do not rescue by buying

things of the internet, unregulated. If you would like to look into the

clinical trial, do that by all means, but you do not know what you

are getting. It could be olive oil. Even dangerous chemicals. Solvents

used to extract chemicals. These could do harm. What explanation, for

cases like this? I'm glad to hear he's doing well. But he also had

soldierly and radiotherapy. That could have played a role.

The lives of many children could be saved by a local breakthrough

Researchers at the Royal Victoria Hospital say they've developed

technology which can tell doctors if a child has the condition

in minutes allowing them to start treatment.

Tragically one in ten children diagnosed with the infection die.

These scientists, on the front line, fighting infections, including

meningitis, most often found in children under five. It can be

fatal. Up to 40 confirmed cases, in Northern Ireland, it is not always

easy to diagnose. The early signs, not specific, so when we have

children with temperature, we can send them onto really. -- home too

early. Have admitted to hospital, get injections, life disrupted. All

that could change. It wants to get the two, to diagnose bacterial

meningitis, but because of technology, it can't be done on the

bedside. Trying to develop something, something that could give

reassurance. It has taken about ten years, to put that into reality. But

we can get a result, with an 20 minutes. Technologically, major

step. It is hoped it could be done at the GP surgery. The silver cross

may often be hidden from view, but they are saving lives in the lab.

Now to a story that many motorists travelling around Belfast recently

will be familiar with - delays and traffic jams.

Over the past few month motorists have endured some very long delays

during morning and evening peak periods.

In many cases, relatively minor accidents in one part of the city

have caused congestion across Belfast.

Traders say the problem is damaging small businesses and some believe it

could be linked to the new bus lanes.

Waiting for the lights. On a good day, that's all. On a bad, a crash.

Delays can last hours. Blocking one lane... That is something that has

been repeated regularly. Gridlock. The concern, if you do not have the

proper public alternative transport, damaging business. The problem began

here. 7am. A crash. The accident was not serious. But it caused

disruption across the city. Lasting hours. Up to 10:30, people trying to

get a bus into town... Told it was delayed.

If there are now more delays... What is the problem? The bus lanes are

supposed to be part of the problem. When you are squeezing, almost every

vehicle, through a small number of roads, 90,000 plus, it only takes a

single accident. Perhaps what we need, making sure they can be

cleared as quickly and safety as possible. That is something drivers

would welcome, if it means less of this, more of this. Tell us what you

think. Ireland's rugby team welcomes back

two big names for this weekends match in the Six

Nations Championship. Ireland have not lost

to France in six years - but on Saturday Joe Schmidt's side

will look to win back-to-back Six Nations matches in Paris

for the first time since 1927. Returning to the Ireland team

which was named today There are a couple of enforced

changes with Keith Earls and Simon Zebo failing fitness

tests, but one lynchpin in the side has made it into

the starting fifteen. For a moment, at the end of Sunday's

game, it looked bad. But Sexton is fit. We did video work. Meetings.

More than usual. Not ideal. Six day turnaround. It is visually after

playing one of the most physical teams. Sore bodies. But we have

recovered. No excuses. For the coach, the French will pose a

different threat. We were not giving up the line break, we are going to

have to work even harder against the French. Play in behind the tackle.

That is a threat. But Ireland have game changers, O'Brien, Kearney,

giving the French plenty to ponder. Ulster rugby have confirmed

the signing of South African international Marcell

Coetzee for next season. and will join Ulster

on a three-year contract. He will move to Belfast in

the summer, following the conclusion of the Super Rugby season,

during which he will represent Meanwhile the Ulster team

for tomorrow's match away to Glasgow has been named,

with Stuart Olding starting at fullback having fully recovered

from this head injury sustained Prop Callum Black is set

to earn his 100th cap for the Province while Chris Henry

is included among the replacements. Full details on the BBC

Sport NI website. Great Britain have just

played their first group game of the Winter Olympic qualifying

tournament against the Netherlands. Colin Shields of the Belfast

Giants scored this fine goal to put GB five-four up midway

through the final period. The Dutch equalised soon

after before the winner came from Mark Richardson

with five minutes remaining. Carrick Rangers Gareth McKeown

is suspended for rest of season and fined ?1000 for a breach

of IFA betting rules, His club are in action

tonight versus Dungannon - we'll have the result

on the later bulletin. Thank you. The weather. Not any more

sun? Not as much. We have been fortunate. But having said that,

getting off to a slow start. Fog lingered. Ducks and geese against

the skies! The fog did go, nice sunset scenes. Breaks in the cloud.

Temperatures continuing to fall. Lowest in the West. Some frost. Mist

and fog. Generally speaking, more cloud. Threatening showers. Wintry

flavour. Especially on the hills. Light dusting. Tomorrow, mainly dry

theme. More cloud. But having said that, some brightness. Showers.

Continuing to feed East, and that will be pushing westwards. Mainly

dry, chilly. Highs, five, six. Tomorrow night, more cloud. Going to

stay chilly. Low pressure. For us, more cloud. Showers. Increasingly

windy. Our late summary

is at half past ten. You can also keep in contact with us

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