PRESS DIGEST - Ireland - Jan 6

DUBLIN, Jan 6 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading
stories in Ireland's newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not
verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy:

THE IRISH TIMES

- The government has begun the process of borrowing billions
from world bond markets to finance the running of the state as
it confirmed yesterday that it recorded the largest deficit to
date in public finances in 2008.

- The inquiry team set up to investigate the Financial
Regulator's handling of the directors' loans controversy at
Anglo Irish Bank ANGL.I is due to report its findings to the
regulator's board by Friday.

IRISH INDEPENDENT
- Taoiseach Brian Cowen was last night urged to take
immediate action to salvage the economy after it emerged the
government will have to borrow 45 million euros a day this year
to balance the books.

- Fianna Fail TD Beverley Flynn threw down the gauntlet to
Taoiseach Brian Cowen last night, insisting amid growing fury
that she is "entitled" to a 41,000 euro allowance aimed at
independent TDs.

IRISH EXAMINER

- The government stepped in last night to try to find a way
to minimise job losses from the failed Waterford Crystal plant.

- The threat of public sector pay cuts loomed last night as
new figures revealed government finances could plunge 17 billion
euros into the red this year.

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