Howlin calls for clarity on European Covid support scheme and level of support for Ireland

• the EU next generation fund of €750 billion has only allocated €3 billion to Ireland

With Brexit on the horizon, the Irish economy is already facing significant damage. Wexford Labour T.D Brendan Howlin has called on the Government to ensure an adequate proportion of this sizeable fund comes to Ireland.

Deputy Howlin said:

“It was confirmed to me in the Dáil today, during statements on Brexit that of the €750 billion fund being prepared by the EU Commision, that only €3 billion is likely to be allocated to Ireland. We need further clarity on how much Ireland will recieve, and whether this is in the form of loans or grants. With the risk of Brexit coming down the line that would be a wholly inadequate sum.

“We need to invest in business, in marketing and in developing stronger direct ferry links to continental Europe.

“There must be adequate connectivity to overcome any problems that might arise with the UK land bridge.

“In relation to fisheries, Deputy Howlin demanded an assurance from Government that fisheries would remain part of the integrated trade talks.”

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