Ireland risks losing out on EU Covid-19 economic aid deal under revised plans

Advice: Ex-minister Brendan Howlin has told the Taoiseach to base his case to the EU on the Brexit fallout. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

John Downing

Ireland is at risk of seriously losing out in the division of a post-coronavirus EU aid package worth €750m, the Taoiseach has been warned.

The issue is among a packed agenda for an EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Friday which will be Micheál Martin's first such meeting. Other issues down for decision are the final leg of Brexit negotiations, and a future EU seven-year €1tn budget plan, which must plug a €12bn yearly gap left by the UK's departure on December 31 next.