Ireland ‘will not qualify’ for EU financial help to cope with Ophelia aftermath

Ireland will not qualify for any financial help from the EU to cope with the aftermath of Ophelia because the damage caused will not reach into the billions of euro.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed Ireland will be left to bear the brunt of the financial cost as he said the Government will not know the full extent of the expense for a number of weeks and that local authorities worst-hit will receive extra money to address storm-related damage.

Speaking to reporters as he inspected the work of ESB crews reconnecting power supplies to homes and businesses in Kilcock, Co Kildare, Mr Varadkar said while the damage done by Ophelia is “not as big as we feared” it is still significant and must be assessed.