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Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund: flooding in Ireland in 2009

2010/2216(BUD)

PURPOSE: to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to assist Ireland following severe flooding in November 2009.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 (IIA) allows for the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, within an annual ceiling of EUR 1 billion, over and above the relevant headings of the financial framework.

The conditions of eligibility to the Fund are detailed in Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 (please refer to procedure file CNS/2002/0228).

On the basis of application for assistance from the Fund by Ireland following heavy rain leading to severe flooding in November 2009, total estimates of the damage caused are as follows:

  • Direct damage: EUR 520 900 000;
  • Aid proposed: EUR 13 022 500.

In the light of the examination of the application, and considering the maximum possible grant from the Fund as well as the scope for reallocating appropriations under the heading requiring additional expenditure, the Commission proposes to mobilise the European Union Solidarity Fund for a total amount of EUR 13 022 500, to be allocated under heading 1b of the financial framework.

By presenting this proposal to deploy the Fund, the Commission initiates the simplified trilogue procedure, as required by Point 26 of the Inter-institutional Agreement of 17 May 2006, in view of securing the agreement of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority on the need to use the Fund and the amount required. The Commission invites each arm of the budgetary authority to inform the other arm and the Commission on its intentions.

In case of disagreement by either of the two arms of the Budgetary Authority, a formal trilogue meeting will be convened.

The Commission will present a draft amending budget (DAB) in order to enter in the 2010 budget specific commitment and payment appropriations, as requested in Point 26 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 (see BUD/2010/2217).