Newsround: what Monday's papers say

Government at risk as Fianna Fáil frustration grows and €60 million fund for rural development

Wednesday's papers

The top stories in Monday's newspapers:

THE IRISH TIMES

- The paper leads with a report that increasing Fianna Fáil frustration over opposition proposals not being taken seriously by government risks undermining the stability of the minority administration, party figures have warned.

- On its front page, it also says that US president Donald Trump's new administration has stepped up its dispute with the media, saying it was presenting "alternative facts" to those reported in the press and vowing to "fight back tooth and nail".

- Minister for Health Simon Harris has told the HSE that it would be "prudent" to delay spending millions of euro earmarked for new health service developments this year until it is confident that targets for savings will be realised.

- In its World News section, the paper reports that Benoit Hamon, a left-wing rebel who was forced out of the socialist government in August 2014, was the surprise winner of the first round of the socialist presidential primary in France on Sunday night.

FINANCIAL TIMES

- The FT also leads with Trump, reporting that the US president spent his first weekend in the Oval Office attacking the "dishonest" media in a confrontation with news groups that sets the tone for his aggressive style of leadership.

- It also reports that a cyber attack by a criminal gang that hit some of the UK's largest banks brought down digital services intermittently at Lloyds Banking Group for more than two days.

- In its Big Read, the FT reports on the new US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, who was known for his project management, not his strategic vision, during a long career at ExxonMobil where Russia was the company's piece of unfinished business.

- In its Companies & Markets section, the paper says that markets are at a crossroads as the new US president begins his first week, with analysts and investors calling for details on the proposals that have driven one of the biggest post-election stock market rallies.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- The paper leads with the government's €60 million plan for rural development, due to be rolled out by the autumn, which includes measures to protect rural schools, tackle commercial rates on small businesses and increase flight connections at Cork and Shannon airports.

- On its front page, it also reports that the Central Bank will fast-track firms moving their operations to Ireland under new plans to deal with a 'hard' Brexit.

- British prime minister Theresa May will become the first foreign leader to hold talks with the new US president at the White House on Friday when they are expected to discuss a US-UK trade deal that slashes tariffs and makes it easier for hundreds of thousands of workers to move between the two countries.

- Credit unions are gearing up to issue millions of euro worth of mortgages this year as they expect to loan out €400 million worth of homes loans, mainly to people who want to switch their mortgage to the member-owned lender.

IRISH EXAMINER

- The state is facing at least six separate legal actions from former members of the air corps who allege they have suffered serious illnesses as a result of "chronic exposure" to the chemicals they came in contact with as a part of their daily duties.

- The cabinet will finally approve terms of reference this week for a state inquiry into the 'Grace' foster home sex-abuse scandal after Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan said the HSE could publish two internal reports into the scandal, clearing the way for the inquiry.

- Health Minister Simon Harris will travel to London today to try to convince the European Medicines Agency of the merits of relocating to Dublin.

- Secondary school teachers could defy their own union heads in accepting a government deal as ASTI members are expected to begin balloting today on proposals aimed at dealing with a dispute around new-entrant pay, working hours and junior cycle reform.