Govt Urged To Reconsider EU Solidarity Funding Application

The government's refusal to apply for EU Solidarity Funding to help with the cost of flood repairs has been described as a "ludicrous and rash decision".

Fianna Fáil's Pat Gallagher has called on the government to re-think its decision and apply before the end of this week as the deadline set by the European Commission is Friday 21 February.

The Ireland North West / Midlands MEP said: "Reports from the UK suggest that David Cameron's Government will now apply for EU Solidarity Funding having earlier dismissed the idea out of hand. The bottom line is that the Irish Government has made a mistake and must also reconsider and apply for assistance.

"The Government has stated that the expense of the damage incurred is below the threshold for assistance. The fact of the matter is that the application submitted in 2009 following severe flooding the same year was also below the threshold.

"However, the then Government submitted a regional based application, which ultimately proved to be successful as Ireland received €13 million. I am confident that if the Government submits a similar regional based application, it would also result in a positive outcome."

(MH/IT)