Simon Harris denies budget flood defences has been cut by €8.7m

Junior Minister Simon Harris has denied claims by the opposition that the budget for flood defences is €8.7m less this year than was allocated in 2015.

It comes as Environment Minister Alan Kelly is to meet with the European Environment commissioner today to discuss the recent flooding crisis.

Fianna Fáil Finance spokesman Michael McGrath has said figures provided to him by the Government show that the OPW’s budget for flood relief works in 2016 has been cut 14%. It has also been confirmed that €13m in the budget for flood-relief works in 2015 was never spent.