Your morning briefing: Frantic last-minute budget talks, weapons firms step up lobbying of Ireland

News Snapshot:

A woman looks at John Lavery's painting at the launch of 'Lavery. On Location' at the National Gallery of Ireland, which opens to the public on October 7th. Photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times Several Government departments have not yet agreed their spending settlements ahead of next week’s budget, setting up a frantic final few days of negotiations in Government. Sources with knowledge of the discussions say that only five departments had agreed their spending plans for next year with Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe as of Thursday morning after weeks of sometimes fraught discussions. The party leaders are due...