Storm damage does not meet ‘threshold’ for EU disaster fund

The Government has ruled out applying to the EU’s emergency disaster fund, saying the impact of the recent storms does not reach a threshold required to access the special scheme.

However, a government minister claimed works amounting to €2bn in 300 flooding hotspots will be needed in the coming years.

Several TDs appealed for a special case to be made for Ireland in Europe and for an application to be tweaked according to regional needs across the country.