What the papers say: Wednesday's front pages

Hospital wait times, a bailout for builders and trouble in the Department of Health feature on Ireland's front pages this morning.

The Irish Times reports the UK government will offer a conditional rather than a blanket amnesty under amended plans to deal with the legacy of the Troubles, while new figures show seriously ill patients have to wait an average of almost 13 hours before they are admitted to hospital.

The Government has agreed to bail out builders working on public projects that are now at risk because of soaring inflation, according to the Irish Examiner. An extra €160 million could be paid to developers working on roads, healthcare facilities, schools, and other key infrastructure this year alone.

The Irish Daily Mail says there are growing concerns over Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly's grip on his department following the resignation of deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn.

A Cork pensioner who was knocked down by a drunk driver while on a dream holiday to Malta and suffered catastrophic injuries has settled a High Court action for €3.1 million, according to The Echo.

In Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph reports newly-elected DUP MLA Diane Forsythe, who says she was subjected to a lengthy “dirty tricks” campaign before the election, has vowed to use her platform at Stormont to fight Internet trolls.

In Britain, the front pages on Wednesday are led by Prince Charles standing in for Queen Elizabeth at a historic State Opening of Parliament, and the government pledging to introduce new measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

The Sun and Metro splash with Charles stepping in for his mother at the State Opening of Parliament.

On tomorrow's front page: Prince Charles looked emotional today as he stepped in for his mother at the State Opening of Parliament, while she watched on TV. https://t.co/entBPxnajZ pic.twitter.com/JcSsS9t6kC

— The Sun (@TheSun) May 10, 2022

🚨 WISH YOU WERE ER

Prince Charles stands in for the Queen at historic state opening of parliament. #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/aE2axorqab

— Metro (@MetroUK) May 10, 2022

The Guardian, The Independent and the i similarly carry the image on their front pages of the royal assuming the queen’s duties but lead with Conservative MPs, opposition leaders and independent experts calling for further action on cost-of-living.

Guardian front page, Wednesday 11 May 2022: Tories 'bereft of ideas' to tackle cost of living crisis pic.twitter.com/Rvqt7peNFu

— The Guardian (@guardian) May 10, 2022

Our front page tomorrow @Independent #TomorrowsPapersToday @SimonCalder on BA refusing compensation @maybulman on the Home Office admitting LGBT refugees face persecution in Rwanda @stellacreasy on Labour’s lack of ideas and @AndrewBuncombe on Donald Trump’s return to Twitter pic.twitter.com/9eqpfGMtaC

— Alastair Jamieson (@alastairjam) May 10, 2022

Wednesday's front page: PM U-turn on cost of living crisis

Latest from @HugoGye https://t.co/buELlo9YhO #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/LtY5yYtiqE

— i newspaper (@theipaper) May 10, 2022

The Daily Express also covers the crisis, focusing on Boris Johnson’s pledge to help “hard-working people” with “fiscal firepower”.

Wednesday’s Daily Express: Boris promises ‘firepower’ to help hard-hit families #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/G9My5i94il

— Helena Wilkinson (@BBCHelena) May 10, 2022

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror covers the first day of the libel battle between Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney.

Tomorrow's front page: Waggro https://t.co/jFPAFk8hQI #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hwtCtWeZFZ

— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) May 10, 2022

The Times, meanwhile, reports that neighbours will be allowed to hold referendums over the style and size of extensions, new homes and conversions on their street under new laws outlined in the Queen’s Speech.

Wednesday’s Times: Neighbours get the right to vote on housing plans #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/hNjcpTPpwZ

— Helena Wilkinson (@BBCHelena) May 10, 2022

The Financial Times writes that Elon Musk will reverse the Twitter ban imposed on former US president Donald Trump as part of his plan to make permanent account suspensions a “rare thing”.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Wednesday May 11 https://t.co/kpOxPy2ZTQ pic.twitter.com/kMefS1NnQj

— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) May 10, 2022

And the Daily Star claims Brazilian defender Marcelo has had his contract terminated by the Ligue 1 club Lyon for farting in the dressing room and laughing about it.