Irish MEPs have requested funding from the EU Solidarity Fund to help repair damage caused by superstorm Christine.

An EU fund created as a reaction to the severe floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2002 has since supported 23 European countries to the tune of more than €3.5bn.

Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly has asked the European Commission to look favourably upon any request from the Government for emergency assistance, as animal feed shortages reach crisis levels.

A substantial share of the €901m from the EU designed to create jobs could be in jeopardy as some government departments may not be able to raise the matching funds, the European Commission said.

Money to help revive the country’s sugar industry could be found in the EU’s regional budget, Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly believes following a meeting with the European commissioner responsible.

EXTRA EU aid totalling €98 million could be unlocked for Ireland by a proposal to increase the Brussels funding contribution to projects in areas such as infrastructure and rural development.

A new bridge linking divided communities in Derry will be a catalyst for change in the city, Martin McGuinness has said.

Ireland has secured the Research and Innovation portfolio in the European Commission.