Taoiseach Enda Kenny is due to unveil a key element of Fine Gael’s election manifesto tonight at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.
The Irish Times reports that he will outline his "working family payment" plan - it will pledge to make changes to the welfare system to guarantee that people are better-off working than they would be if they were relying on social welfare payments.
The timing of the speech has been read as a indication that the Government plans to call a General Election before Christmas.
______________________________________________________
The cabinet is holding a special meeting this morning to put the finishing touches to the Budget.
Ministers are set to consider measures to ease the cost of childcare, with a second year of free pre-school expected to be considered too expensive.
Also among the chief sticking points is the amount of the Government's extra spending power that will be soaked up in health.
A final agreement on many measures in the budget is expected this morning though the full details of the Budget will not be revealed until next Tuesday.
The government has €750m to put into extra spending next year, but is trying to strike a balance between helping the health service to cope, while also leaving enough cash for other sectors which are more popular with the public.
______________________________________________________
Volkswagen's boss in the United States, Michael Horn has admitted he knew about the company's emissions scandal more than a year ago.
Documents due to be reviewed by the US House of Representatives later show Michael Horn was told about a so-called 'non-compliance' last spring. The issue only became public last month.
Millions of VW vehicles need modifications, after it emerged software had been fitted in their engines to cheat pollution tests.
______________________________________________________
Bank of Ireland has criticised the Central Bank over proposals which would require lenders to increase the amount of information which they have to give to SMEs who are looking for credit.
The bank says that the proposed measures are "unparalleled in an EU and international context" and that they will do little to improve the flow of credit, and that they will have a negative impact on customers.
It has also suggested that the Central Bank has failed to carry out a full analysis of the impact of the proposed new rules.
Bank of Ireland said in its submission, "It is the view of the bank that these proposals - which are not grounded in an appropriate analysis of their potential impact on SMEs or lenders - may have a number of substantive, negative consequences should they be introduced."
