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.

TDs are expected to hold talks with Europe’s Regional Policy Commissioner Pawel Samecki later this week as the Goverment considers a formal application for flood damage cash support from Brussels.

The joint leaders of the North's power-sharing government will hold talks in Brussels today with senior European Union officials including commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.

A European Commissioner leading a Brussels taskforce on the North Ireland will today meet a senior minister in the Stormont power sharing government.