EU: Directives do not give priority to frogs and fish

The EU has issued a sharp reprimand to Government ministers and others blaming EU rules for the effects of severe flooding around Ireland.

Actions recommended by the EU to prevent people suffering from flooding generally will provide long-term solutions, while the EU is also providing €705m for prevention.

Claims by farming bodies, that the plights of frogs and fish were being placed above people and property, were simply not true, said the European Commission.