Governments all over the EU have sought funding from the European Investment Bank for infrastructure and job creation projects — but Ireland has been accused of being slow to tap the pot of money.

Irish wind and solar energy company, Mainstream Renewable Power is set to develop a €2bn windfarm off the Scottish coast.

European Union leaders will create a strategic investment fund that could generate up to €315bn in private and public-sector money to upgrade infrastructure, jump-start sluggish economies and ignite job growth.