Councils slap €78m storm damage bill on state agencies

Local authorities have slapped a €78.3m bill on three government departments and agencies for the cost of winter storms — and the final bill is expected to be a lot higher.

According to the figures provided by Environment Minister Alan Kelly, local authorities have issued a €65.5m bill to the Department of Transport with a further €1.5m estimate of damage placed with the Department of the Environment.

Mr Kelly said a further €11m estimate of damage — included in the €78m total — has been delivered to the Office of Public Works (OPW).