The Front Pages
‘L-drivers face tougher training to get license’ reads the Irish Independent’s headline today, as the paper suggests sweeping changes are to implemented by the end of the summer, such as compulsory pre-test lessons for young motorists.
According to Independent reporter Paul Melia, the new process could cost up to €700 and comes in the wake of last week’s road accident in Co. Donegal – the worst single vehicle collision in Irish history. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) announced last night that further details of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system’s introduction are to be announced within weeks.
In other pleasant news, The Irish Times today runs with the headline ‘Government meeting to discuss how to cut €3bn from budget’, with details of Wednesday’s meeting between ministers to propose potential budget cuts for December’s budget
Unsurprisingly, the Times believes the departments of Social Protection, Educations and Skills and Health and Children are once more expected to take the brunt of the cuts. The paper also expects the cabinet will tie a ribbon on a proposed €40 billion five-year capital spending programme.
Tales from the Tabs
“Anger as councilors use taxpayers money to go on ‘fact-finding mission’ to a STRIP CLUB”
A group of UK councilors have been by the Daily Mail today for using taxpayer money in order to fund a ‘fact-finding’ mission – to the Temptations strip club in Plymouth.
Thirteen officials, eleven men and two women, visited the club in order to make ‘informed decisions’ about licensing laws, whereby strip or pole dancing clubs have been reclassified as ‘sexual entertainment venues. The group therefore had to make vigorous checks to make sure no new rules were being reached – with all thirteen having to come along, naturally.
Horrified Newquay resident Tracy Earnshaw told the Mail that it was ‘ridiculous’ that all thirteen officials had to go, adding that ”the committee is not there to form an opinion ? The Government has done that. To go on this trip at the taxpayers’ expense makes it particularly galling.
‘The whole thing would be amusing if it wasn’t so fanciful, appalling and unnecessary. It is insulting to the taxpayers’ intelligence.’
The Sports Pages
The on-going saga of ex-Chelsea free agent Joe Cole’s future continues apace today, with The Guardian reporting that Liverpool are looking their  £90,000-a-week offer for the midfielder will be enough to seal a deal for the hotly-contended player.
Apparently the Reds are looking for a decision as soon as possible from Cole, as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are still in the hunt for the midfielder. According to the Daily Mail, Cole will make a decision on his future club career within the next 48 hours. The Sun believes Harry Redknapp’s Spurs have pulled out of the race for Cole to focus on transfer-listed Man City forward Craig Bellamy.
Elsewhere, Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk is apparently tying up a £6m deal for Arsenal’s Croatian forward Eduardo, according to the Daily Mail. After a disappointing post-injury season last year from Eduardo, the striker is believed to be surplus to requirements at Emirates, particularly after the Gunners concluded a deal for Moroccan striker Maroune Chamakh in May.
In other Gunners news, the Daily Star is today reporting that the North London club is ready to return to Goodison Park with an improved £18m offer for English defender Phil Jagielka. Arsenals had reportedly bidded £14m for the young central defender over the weekend but were turned down by David Moyes’ club.
