Press release
National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets in advance of potentially disruptive weather
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
A virtual National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) meeting was held on Saturday morning to prepare for the potentially disruptive weather forecasted across the country.
The Group was chaired by the Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) – part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Met Éireann and a range of other stakeholders including from the education and transport sectors attended the meeting to discuss and co-ordinate preparations for the incoming weather.
Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, briefed the Taoiseach this morning and is keeping him informed about the ongoing preparations. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, is also being kept informed of the situation.
Met Éireann has a number of weather warnings in place, with heavy rain, sleet, snow and icy conditions expected across different part of the country.
Much of the country can expect significant snowfall accumulations leading to:
Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) continue to monitoring conditions locally and emergency response are ready to respond where and when necessary. Adequate salt supplies are in place, and local authorities will continue to salt roads as well as footpaths in urban centres where possible.
The National Transport Authority has confirmed that all public transport authorities are on alert in anticipation of potential disruption due to the predicted weather. Commuters should check with their operator before undertaking any public transport journeys.
The National Emergency Coordination Group will meet again tomorrow morning and further guidance will issue following that meeting.
Status Yellow Rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Valid: 13:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday. Localised flooding possible.
Status Orange Rain and Snow warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Valid: 17:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday
Status Orange Snow-Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary
Valid: 17:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday
Status Yellow Snow-Ice warning for Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Connacht
Valid: 17:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday
Status Yellow Rain and Snow warning for Wexford
Valid: 17:00 Saturday to 17:00 Sunday
Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, emphasised the safety advice for the public:
“We are going to see difficult travel conditions for much of the country in the coming days. Driving conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted – so I urge people to slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey. It’s important that drivers travelling longer journeys are aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
"Footpaths can also be extremely hazardous and slippery due to ice so please take extra care while walking.
“Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather, so I’d advise people to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
“With regard to rough sleepers during this wintry spell, the department is communicating with Regional Leads in relation to their Cold Weather Initiatives and has advised them of the expected conditions. Cold Weather Initiatives operate across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed – ensuring that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather.
“Finally, I would urge all members of the public to take extra care with all activities and to check out the Met Éireann and Be Winter Ready websites for further updates and advice.”