Consequences of adverse weather conditions in various Member States (debate)
Brian Crowley (ALDE), in writing. – The extreme weather has caused massive damage to infrastructure and property across Ireland. However, the Irish Government announced recently that it was not going to apply for EU solidarity funding, in view of the fact that the expense of the damage incurred is below the threshold.
This decision is extremely hard to comprehend, as 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 EUR[nbsp ]13 million.
A comprehensive flood defence strategy for rural and coastal communities is also immediately required. This is an enormous challenge, with the cost difficult to estimate. We strongly urge the Irish Government to examine the possibility of securing finance to meet this cost at favourable rates of interest from the EIB.
We also call on the government to put in place a compensation scheme for the damage and loss suffered by all fishermen, who have had little or no income over the course of the last three months. Minister Coveney must also utilise funding under the EMFF, in addition to national funding.