DUBLIN, Nov 16 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Ireland's newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy:

THE IRISH TIMES

- Irish Finance Minister Brian Cowen is expected to announce just under 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) in extra spending when he announces his budget estimates for 2007 later on Thursday

- Legislation to govern human fertility treatment is unlikely before Ireland's next election in mid-2007 despite a landmark legal ruling on Wednesday that frozen embryos do not have the same right to life as those carried in the womb

- The British government is due to publish emergency legislation later on Thursday designed to give effect to the St Andrews agreement and to call Northern Ireland assembly elections early next March

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- Irish dancer Michael Flatley has cancelled a European tour after being admitted to a London hospital with a serious illness

- Irish rock band U2 have won a protracted legal battle to reclaim items including a pair of singer Bono's trousers from a former stylist with the band

IRISH EXAMINER

- Irish Christmas shoppers are expected rack up a record 4.25 billion euros in spending this festive season boosted by the maturity of government-backed savings schemes, a report says

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