Taoiseach Simon Harris commends the national response to severe weather event

“I want to commend the incredible work by all agencies involved in responding to the severe weather we have experienced across the country.

“The coordinated response, led by the National Emergency Coordination Group and guided by Met Éireann’s forecast, was crucial in mitigating the potential dangers posed by the cold spell and the effort by multiple teams nationwide showed their dedication to public safety and protecting the most vulnerable.

“We are lucky to have such dedicated teams who worked in the freezing conditions to restore power and water as quickly as they could.

“I want to particularly thank the Civil Defence teams and everyone who volunteered in order to get patients and staff in and out of hospitals, delivered prescriptions to those who could not make the journey and made every effort to ensure food and water were delivered to those who were in isolated areas.

“During the cold spell, we have once again seen the very best of Irish people as they travelled across their communities to deliver supplies to their neighbours. I also want to commend the farming community for their support to the local authorities.

“Please continue to be mindful when travelling over the coming days as a result of the snowmelt and the conditions that may follow.”