A relatively modest snowfall along the East Coast today has again brought parts of Dublin and the surrounding areas to a halt.

There is traffic deadlock in some areas, Dublin Airport has again been closed, Dublin Bus services have been suspended and many people have had to leave work early for fear of not being able to get home. Some schools may not be able to open tomorrow.

The roads in some suburban estates and areas surrounding Dublin have been close to impassable since New Year ’s Eve. Other parts of the country, particularly in the West and North West have experienced similar problems running back to Christmas, with families in some rural areas unable to leave their homes.

This is the most prolonged cold period we have experienced for decades and cannot be simply dismissed as a cold snap.

With at least another week of sub-zero temperatures forecast, it is now time for the government to recognise the seriousness of the situation and take appropriate action. In particular we need to see some leadership from the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, and the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley.

The government should now declare a national weather emergency and take the action required to address the extreme weather conditions and the impact on the road network and the public transport system.

At least when we experienced serious flooding problems in November, the Government Emergency Response Coordinating Committee was meeting on a daily basis. Why has this committee not been mobilised to deal with this emergency.

Ministers Dempsey and Gormley should ensure that the Committee is convened and that it takes action to deal with the current situation. Local authorities should be provided with additional finances and should be authorised to take on additional staff on a temporary basis to assist with gritting operations. Given the pressure on local authorities to keep main roads open, the Defence Forces could be asked to assist with gritting of secondary roads and suburban estates.