DUBLIN, July 1 (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's economic difficulties mounted yesterday as it was hit by figures showing that output contracted in the first quarter of the year, largely on the back of a precipitous slide in construction.

- Major divisions remain between employers and unions over pay and employment rights following the resumption of talks yesterday on a new social partnership agreement.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- The government last night insisted the forthcoming visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Ireland was not aimed at increasing pressure for a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

- Mortgage costs yesterday climbed to their highest level in seven years -- just days before the announcement of yet another interest rate hike.

- A new bid to collect DNA evidence from the remains of murdered French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier could be hampered by the fact her body was previously exhumed in 2004.

IRISH EXAMINER

- Former minister Mary O'Rourke refused to back down on her remarks that President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe should be shot, saying she "felt deeply about it".

- Erin Brockovich has urged residents to demand answers from the government about the Haulbowline toxic dump scandal.

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