can you install spotlights / down lights with out. Taking the floor boards up from the room above?

Yes, it's possible... Need to use fishing rods for pulling the cable from hole to hole, some ceilings repair may be required but it's easier then taking floor up...

Yes you can, you need to find which way your ceiling joists are running first of all, mark your pattern of spot lights and hole saw cut them out, then you need to cut further holes either side of the joists and use a spade bit to drill though the joist about 50mm clear from the plaster board, then feed your cable through the joist, use the cut outs from the hole saw to put back in to fill the holes, it's probably easier to skim the ceiling after 1st fix of cable is in. Hope this helps? Dean.