DUBLIN, Nov 13 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Ireland's newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy:

THE IRISH TIMES

- Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain will this week announce an election to the Belfast-based local assembly, according to London and Dublin sources.

- Ireland's spend on overseas development aid is to increase to its highest ever level next year to 814 million euros ($1.05 billion), a jump of 130 million euros.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- Finance Minister Brian Cowen will snub efforts by the government's coalition partners, the Progressive Democrats, to have the top rate of tax cut to 40 percent from 42 percent in next month's Budget.

- The Irish investors behind The Club Company, a chain of British golf courses with health and fitness facilities, are considering listing part of the company on the AIM in London and Dublin's IEX.

IRISH EXAMINER

- Investors in Aer Lingus <AERL.I> have until Monday afternoon to accept Ryanair's offer. It is expected Ryanair will announce on Tuesday how much of the shareholder base have backed the bid.

Ryanair is expected to extend the offer until after a ballot of the Employee Share Ownership Trust, which has a 12.6 percent stake in Aer Lingus, is completed next week.

Looking for more information from local sources? Reuters Business Briefing has five Irish sources including Irish Times. For details of the product please call your local help desk <PHONE/HELP>.

AlertNet news is provided by

Delicio.us  |   Digg  |   NewsVine  |   Reddit