The UK Government must ensure the £123 million payment from the EU Solidarity Fund, agreed by MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday, is distributed fairly around areas affected by last summer’s floods Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said today.

The cash, which is paid directly to the Government, is intended to assist with the reconstruction of key infrastructure following the devastating rainfalls across the UK last June and July, estimated to have caused around £3.48 billion worth of damage. Mr Nicholson said that Northern Ireland had been adversely affected by floods last year and was entitled to a share of the Solidarity Fund money.

This is the first time the UK has applied for assistance from the Solidarity Fund, which was created in 2002. The funds should go towards reimbursing local authorities for the costs of emergency services, the flood clean-up and offsetting the expense of restoring infrastructures such as roads and power lines.

Speaking from Strasbourg Mr Nicholson said:

“I am asking the UK Government to ensure all affected areas across the UK receive their fair share. We in Northern Ireland were badly affected too and we are entitled to receive our share.”