SINN Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said the EU Solidarity Fund could help with dealing with the aftermath of this week’s flooding across the north west.
Martina Andeson said: “Today I met with farmers in the Plumbridge area of Tyrone to see at first hand the devastation caused by this week’s flooding.
“It is clear that many farms and rural communities have been severely hit by this week’s flooding and it could take a long time to recover.
“While there is a need for inter-agency co-operation to co-ordinate the response, there could also be a role for the EU in assisting the clean up and helping rural communities rebuild.
“The British government and Irish government should now ask the EU to access its Solidarity Fund, which was established to provide assistance to member states following natural disasters.
“The British government has previously received €60 million to help with previous incidents of flooding.
“There is a total of €1 billion available across the EU for 2017 for the Solidarity Fund and this funding can be used to fund restoration, essential infrastructure and environmental clean-ups.
“This assistance is an example of what will be lost to us as a result of the Tory Brexit agenda and is yet another reason why we need to secure designated special status within the EU to help protect our rural communities.”
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