Minister Naughton's speech at the launch of the Be Winter Ready Information Campaign 2022-2023

Check against delivery

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to return to the National Emergency Coordination Centre for what is my third year of involvement in Be Winter Ready. As Minister of State at the Department of Transport, this annual public safety and awareness campaign is very important to me both professionally and personally.

I’m also happy to share the stage today with Minister O’Donovan who has given us some excellent advice on how to deal with the increased risk that flooding presents over the winter and the steps that are being taken to protect and mitigate this risk.

Last winter was an unusually mild and unsettled one and, according to Met Eireann’s data, the 6th warmest in one hundred and twenty-three years. We experienced six named storms between December and February, the most disruptive being Storm Barra and Storm Eunice.

Adverse weather conditions at any time of the year (but particularly during winter months) can greatly impact our transport networks and services. In recent years events such as Storm Emma have shown how winter weather can significantly affect our ability to get around.

As extreme weather becomes more and more a feature of our world, there is every chance that we will face highly challenging weather this winter. While we haven’t experienced prolonged cold spells or widespread heavy snowfall over the last couple of years, we may not be as fortunate this year.

So, the launch of this year’s Be Winter Ready campaign gives us an opportunity to consider what we can do, both individually and collectively, to prepare for the challenges and risks the winter months can present and to make our communities resilient

Each of our transport operators, whether working on land, sea or in the air, has contingency plans in place to deal with the impact of winter weather, aiming to avoid disruption to the travelling public as much as possible.

Experiences and lessons learned from previous severe weather events have also enabled our transport operators to improve their preparedness plans, and we have all benefitted from a whole-of-government approach to severe weather preparedness over the last number of years. This has allowed for a lot of learning and sharing of valuable insights and experiences across organisations and sectors.

During any severe weather events, particularly in snow and icy conditions, a key priority for my department is to keep important national and regional routes open, including public transport routes.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), working in conjunction with local authorities, ensures that adequate supplies of salt are in place throughout the winter. I’m pleased to report that TII currently has a sufficient store of salt stocks, with arrangements in place to acquire additional salt stocks should more be needed. An extensive winter fleet of snow ploughs and salt spreaders are also in place.

Notwithstanding the plans in place, during very severe weather it may not be possible for our transport operators to provide all services as normal, and certain levels of disruption may occur. Operators will of course regularly update information in relation to services affected where disruption is unavoidable.

It should probably go without saying but we should all pay attention to prevailing safety advice, particularly any weather warnings issued by Met Eireann. Where such warnings are in play, I urge everyone to take heed of the forecast weather conditions as well as any safety advice that may arise. Only travel where and when necessary and take extra special care when doing so.

A key aim of the Be Winter Ready campaign is to emphasise the importance of being prepared for winter and provide information to the public on measures we all can take to prepare in advance, reduce risks and find information on how services may be affected.

I welcome this opportunity to mention a few areas under the remit of my department, where extra care could make a big difference to many people this winter.

In terms of safety on our roads, no matter how we may use the roads this winter - whether as a motorist, motorcyclist, cyclist, or pedestrian, there are things we all can do to prepare and protect both ourselves and those we care about.

I was encouraged that road fatalities in Ireland were at a record low in 2021 but this year’s statistics are showing a worrying increase to date. If I may, I’d like to take the opportunity to reiterate a familiar message, which is:

SLOW DOWN.

Speed is the biggest contributory factor in road deaths in Ireland. International research has estimated that 30% of fatal collisions are the result of speeding or inappropriate speed.

Along with wearing your seatbelt, watching out for vulnerable road users, and never ever drinking and driving, slowing down and driving at a speed that’s appropriate to the road and weather conditions can make a huge difference to the safety of all.

It’s also essential that vehicles are ready for the extra challenges that winter brings. Service your vehicle, make sure it’s safe and fit for purpose. Make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure and have the correct thread depth, that your wipers are checked for wear and tear and all lights are working properly. Make these checks today.

Please be extra vigilant if Met Eireann issue warnings for hail. It’s a significant contributor to road traffic collisions with over 30 collisions caused by hail already in 2022. Remember that even if the road is salted, hailstones will stay on the road and can cause a loss of contact between tyres and the road surface, leading to skidding. For this reason, motorists should always adjust their speed in a safe manner when encountering hail.

In fact, speed should be adjusted in any conditions where visibility is poor. Even on the sunniest of days, visibility can be restricted by a low winter sun.

For those planning to continue to enjoy the waters around our coast through the colder months, please be mindful of the times of sunset, and plan to conclude activity before last light. Be aware that over the winter period familiar coastal walkways may suffer coastal damages and be alert to unanticipated local changes.

Open water swimming has become very popular over the last number of years and a growing number of people engage in this hobby year-round. It’s important to be well-acclimatised when getting into any open water during the winter period and always ensure that your activity is being monitored by someone ashore.

Never swim alone, only swim in areas with which you are familiar and check both the weather forecast and the tide times before entering the water.

If you’re engaging in activities on the water, you should be familiar with basic safety precautions including wearing of a fully serviced life jacket as appropriate to the particular activity. It’s also important to always carry a means of raising the alarm, such a marine VHF radio, flares or Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs).

Treat mobile phones as a backup rather than a primary means of communication, as coverage may become restricted and always protect them in waterproof pouch.

Remember if you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast or if you suspect that they are in trouble, dial 112 or use marine VHF radio and ask for the Coast Guard.

On that note, I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the commitment and dedication of all our front-line responders and the work of our Local Authorities in maintaining essential services during severe weather events.

Community resilience is also a vitally important component in dealing with severe weather events and other major emergencies. The front-line emergency services rely heavily on the community spirit that exists across Ireland to assist them in their work and that community support is greatly appreciated.

Within my own department in particular, I would like to thank the many volunteer members of the Irish Coast Guard who are often required to respond during severe weather conditions, to assist and rescue those who find themselves in difficulty on and near the water or along our coastal regions.

As Minister with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, water safety awareness is an important issue. I am very pleased therefore to have secured funding as part of Budget 2023 for a Water Safety Education Campaign in schools which will be run by the Irish Coast Guard.

While I hope that the winter ahead will be calm and mild, and safe for all of us, I’d urge everyone to visit www.winterready.ie and start your preparation for winter today. Today’s campaign provides us with lots of useful and practical information to plan for the coming months – whatever they might bring.

Stay safe, stay vigilant and be ready.

Thank you.