What it says in the papers

IRISH TIMES

-The Irish Times leads with the fall-out from the C&AG report into Nama's Project Eagle sale, saying two separate inquiries – one by the Public Accounts Committee – are in preparation after the State's spending watchdog found shortcomings in the sale. The paper quotes political sources as suggesting that a commission of investigation headed by a judge is also a possibility.

- The paper says Ireland's political isolation over the EU Commission's Apple tax ruling was laid bare yesterday as MEPs overwhelmingly backed the finding that the State had offered illegal state aid to the US multinational. The paper says MEPs from across the political spectrum lined up to congratulate competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager on her decision.

- In business, the Irish Times reports on comments made by new RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes, who told a broadcasting industry event in Dublin that RTÉ must look at partnerships and alliances with competitors if it is to continue to deliver the programming that audiences want.

- The paper reports that regional airports are receiving €2.7m in Government aid, bringing to €3.9m the total that the State will hand out to them this year. The new money is going to Donegal, Kerry, Knock and Waterford airports to boost safety and security.

FINANCIAL TIMES

- The Financial Times reports that Bayer is bracing itself for tough regulatory scrutiny of its $66 billion deal to acquire Monsanto. The paper says competition authorities are already trying to digest two other big mergers, which would cut the number of global players in agricultural chemicals from six to four.

- The FT reports that Britain and Argentina have agreed to co-operate to boost the economy of the Falkland Islands in what the paper calls the biggest breakthrough in relations for years. It says relations have thawed since Mauricio Macri became president of Argentina last year.

- In companies news, the paper says Ford has warned that profits will fall next year as the company ramps up investment in new technologies, its third such warning since July. Ford is investing in electrification, autonomous cars and other forms of new mobility.

- The FT reports that Uber has launched the first self-driving taxi fleet in the US in Pittsburgh, saying it would have dozens of self-driving cars on the road by year-end, although the vehicles will still have human "drivers" to intervene if needed.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- The Irish Independent also leads with the Project Eagle report, describing the C&AG report as "damning", as it raised questions about how the portfolio was valued and marketed. The paper describes Nama's rejection of the findings as an unprecedented attack on the C&AG.

- The paper says the State body that deals with insurance claims has told TDs and Senators it sees no justification for the huge increases in motor premiums that car owners are experiencing. Injuries Board chief executive Conor O'Brien said there had been no big increase in claims or awards to justify rises of 70 per cent in average premiums in the past three years.

- In business, the Irish Independent reports on a warning from Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary that the airline's ownership structure could come under pressure if British investors are considered non-EU residents . He said that, in a worst-case Brexit scenario, they could be forced to sell their shares. Under EU rules, no more than 49.9 per cent of an EU airline can be owned by investors from outside the union.

- The paper reports that Tipperary businessman Declan Kelly will be propelled to what it calls the premier league of Ireland's rich list next year if Teneo, the New York consulting company he co-founded, goes ahead with a rumoured $1 billion stock market flotation.

IRISH EXAMINER

- The Irish Examiner says Finance Minister Michael Noonan now faces questions about why he let a fire sale of Nama's Northern Ireland loans proceed and did not stop it after the emergence of success fee payments in bids.

- The paper says a small Irish tech company – County Cork's BoatWarden – which has developed a "digital padlock" and tracker for outboard engines is eyeing global markets after landing a major contract with an engine distributor in England.

- After yesterday's Q2 growth figures from the CSO, the Examiner reports on warnings from economists that consumer spending is not as strong as once thought. It quotes Merrion's Alan McQuaid as saying that there was now a question mark over whether consumer spending could carry the economy.