The Government has convened a national emergency committee to co-ordinate its response to the adverse weather conditions, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today.
The committee, which will operate under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, met this morning and will meet daily to address emergency issues until the cold spell abates.
“Weather of this severity and duration has not been seen since 1963 in many parts of Ireland," Mr Cowen told a press briefing in Dublin this afternoon.
He said the “principal problem was compacted ice”, and warned that a significant thaw was not forecast for at least six to seven days.
Mr Cowen acknowledged the level of salt supplies for gritting roads was “very tight” but said the National Roads Authority (NRA) had been asked by the Government to source and distribute extra supplies to local authorities.
Commuters endured another day of low temperatures and widespread ice which caused major disruptions to air and road transport.
Motorists in Leinster are being urged to avoid unnecessary journeys due to severe ice overnight. Road conditions on main routes around Dublin and in city centre areas, as well as the suburbs and housing estates, were treacherous today.
Dublin airport is open, but a number of flights have been cancelled. Due to adverse weather conditions, Knock airport has suspended all operations for the day.
Dublin Bus is operating a limited service on all corridors today with restrictions on several routes. It said departures outbound and inbound will leave at 8.00pm on all services.
Iarnród Éireann said all trains are running despite the conditions but warned passengers there is a very heavy demand for rail, Dart and Luas services during this evening’s rush hour.
Most Bus Éireann services operated earlier today, with some delays. However some services are affected, particularly in east Leinster. Full details are available at www.buseireann.ie
Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the “unprecedented” conditions had not just affected roads but had severely impacted education, water supplies and agriculture.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea advised local authorities that the Defence Forces were on standby to assist with dealing with the severe weather conditions if required.
"With more than 3,000 drivers and up to 800 4x4 vehicles including Air and MOWAG support, the Defence Forces are equipped to assist should the local authorities request our assistance," Mr O'Dea said.
Opposition parties had been calling on the Government to draft in the Army to grit roads as local authorities struggle to treat the main routes around the country.
But Mr Gormley ruled out a major mobilisation of the Defence Forces to deal with the disruption, saying he had been assured by local authorities that such a move was not necessary at this stage.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore today criticised the Government’s response to the weather crisis.
“Parts of the country, particularly in the west and north west, have been experiencing Arctic conditions since before Christmas, with families in some areas unable to leave their homes, but their plight has been largely ignored by the Government,” Mr Gilmore said.
He said the Defence Forces should be mobilised to assist in the clearing of paths in urban areas, and called for funding to be made available to local authorities to take on temporary staff to assist with the operation.