Government seeking European funding for flood defences

The Government is asking the European Investment Bank to help build flood defences, following massive flooding and damage in recent storms.

The coalition has already admitted the €250m set aside for flood defences for the next five years will not be enough.

"We're in discussion with the EIB to see if we can make the capital works that associated with flood defences … to see if they're amenable to EIB funding," the Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, said.

"That, obviously would be a way of [determining][ how far the €250m we have committed to will go.

"We're conscious of that, and so we're looking at ways in which the EIB can assist us."

Meanwhile, Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins criticised the Minister for the Environment for deciding not to apply for EU disaster funds for the recent storm damage.

Phil Hogan recently announced that Ireland would not meet the threshold conditions to apply for aid assistance from the EU solidarity fund, which was set up to help countries badly effected by storms, floods, and similar phenomena.

However, Mr Higgins said he was told by the EU Commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, that Ireland could still apply for the fund.