A report from the Independent Local Government Efficiency Review Group, commissioned by the Government, has recommended a range of cost savings and revenue-producing measures devised to generate more than €500m. An increase in the price of driving licences from €25 to €40 and the introduction of tolls on national roads are two of the revenue raising options while combining several local authorities will produce significant savings.

The report, published today by Minister for Environment John Gormley, suggests cutting the number of county managers from 34 to 24. Merging services within the amalgamated councils will produce even greater savings. While the amalgamation will apply at the administrative level on a political level we will continue to have 34 separate councils.

Stabbing death in Dublin

A man was fatally stabbed in Swords, Co. Dublin at around 9.30pm yesterday evening following an altercation involving a number of people. The man, in his early 20s, was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he was pronounced dead; the scene of the stabbing has been preserved and a man has been arrested.

Irish banks expected to pass ‘stress' test

AIB and Bank of Ireland, the only two Irish financial institutions to be scrutinised under a major European test of banks' ability to cope with potential losses, are expected to pass the test. While Bank of Ireland has completed the raising of €7bn to boost its capital, as demanded by Financial Regulator Matthew Elderfield, AIB has still to complete the process.

Five arrested in Belfast

Five men are being questioned at Antrim serious crimes suite following their arrest last night in the Falls Road area of west Belfast last night. The arrests followed a PSNI operation, said to be linked to an earlier incident in the St James Road area, in which two firearms were also recovered.

Army marks anniversary of Congo posting

Up to one thousand army veterans and their families are expected to gather at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel at noon today to mark the 50th anniversary of the deployment of Irish troops to Congo. It was the first armed Irish peacekeeping mission to be involved with the United Nations and more than 6,000 members of the Defence Forces served in the African country from 1960 to 1964; 26 Irish soldiers lost their lives during the four-year period.

RTE director general to stand down

Director general of RTE Cathal Goan has announced that he us to stand down at the end of his seven-year term, a decision that is believed to be unexpected within the broadcast service. A number of people have been named as possible replacement, including chief financial officer Conor Hayes, managing director of news Ed Mulhall, and Clare Duignan, head of radio. Mr Goan has agreed to stay on until a replacement is found.

Today's Papers

The Irish Times and the Irish Independent both stay with the state of the economy for their lead stories. The former has "Government sets up body to consider disposal of State assets" while the latter goes with "Banks ‘lied' about scale of losses in crisis talks". The Irish Examiner's front page carries a photograph of the mother of 17-year-old Christopher O'Driscoll, who was found dead in a derelict house in Cork. The headline reads "A family's pain".

The Irish News reports on ‘golden handshakes' given to health service personnel, with "NHI bosses' £31m pensions".

The Weather in Galway

Although there's no sign of the sun so far, it is expected to be mainly dry today. Temperature 17C.

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