An audit of Traveller accommodation in the wake of the Carrickmines tragedy has found a litany of potentially lethal safety hazards in the homes across the country.

Fire service personnel “mind each other” and camaraderie among individuals in the service is “a dominant factor” in helping them deal well with what are sometimes truly horrific and truly horrible events, a survey of 900 fire service personnel has found.

A fire chief in Clare has rejected claims by fire brigade unions that a new plan for the service will put the lives of firefighters and the public at risk.

Met Éireann has warned of a major flooding risk both from expected stormy weather from Wednesday onwards and from heavy rainfall which will swell rivers already near capacity.

The fire service is billing the HSE for call-outs to road traffic accidents where casualties have to be cut free from wreckage.