What it says in the papers

IRISH TIMES

- The Irish Times says the Government has played down the implications of a European Commission recommendation that EU countries increase spending next year in an attempt to boost the European economy. It quotes senior sources as being sceptical that the change of policy would enable a further expansion of public spending.

- The paper says the first 43 apartments put up for sale in the revamped Priory Hall complex in north Dublin have been sold in days, making more than €7m for Dublin City Council. The council is spending more than €27m on the reconstruction of the fire-trap complex.

- In business, the Irish Times reports that the combined pension deficit at Ireland's largest companies has swelled by 160 per cent in the first nine months of this year as bond yields plummeted.

- The paper reports that Pat Hickey, who stepped down as Olympic Council of Ireland president after being arrested for alleged ticket-touting in Rio de Janeiro, is to be allowed to leave Brazil to receive treatment for a heart problem.

FINANCIAL TIMES

- The Financial Times leads with a report that British Chancellor Philip Hammond will admit to the largest deterioration in the country's public finances since 2011 in next week's Autumn Statement, when the official forecast will show that Britain faces a £100 billion bill for Brexit within five years.

- The paper reports that not one child from a poor household in the north-east of England went to Oxford or Cambridge after leaving school in 2010, according to a government report which shows social divisions more deeply entrenched than ever in Britain.

- The FT has an interview with Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih, in which he signals that the country is to lift the lid on one of the energy industry's most closely guarded secrets - how much crude lies beneath the country - as it prepares to sell shares in national oil company Saudi Aramco.

- The paper says Barcelona has sealed one of the world's largest football shirt sponsorships after signing a deal for at least £220m with Japanese retailer Rakuten.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- The Irish Independent leads with the pension deficit story, saying the figures from consultants LCP Ireland showing a combined deficit of €7 billion so far this year at top companies show that a much-feared pensions time bomb is now exploding for workers who are not in the public sector.

- The paper reports on figures which show that the top 20 salaries in the Irish Farmers' Association come to a combined total of more than €2m. new director general Damian McDonald will be paid €185,000.

- In business, the Irish Independent says authorities in Brussels have announced plans to develop what will become a euro zone finance ministry in what it describes as "an unprecedented budgetary power grab". The move was made possible under new powers the European Commission gained during the financial crisis.

- The paper quotes Finance Minister Michael Noonan as suggesting that international banks looking to locate operations here in the wake of Brexit could end up waiting at least a year to get a licence.

IRISH EXAMINER

- The Irish Examiner leads with a warning from public sector unions that the Government must begin new public sector pay talks by January or face a "free-for-all" of industrial actions and strikes.

- The paper reports that Cork City's commercial rates will increase for the first time in eight years and funding for a hugely successful Christmas festival will be slashed after a "lengthy and at times chaotic" city council budget meeting.

- In business, the Examiner says the European Commission has warned Ireland that spending increases and tax cuts are being funded by "volatile" corporation tax receipts, leaving the budget vulnerable to over-runs.

- The paper reports that top clothing brands Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein all posted increased sales in Ireland last year, but only Calvin Klein reported increased profits.