Business leaders in Dublin have criticised local authorities in the capital over their handling of problems with the city’s water supply and the introduction of severe nightly water restrictions.

Chemists from the UK have been called in to try and fix the water quality issue leaving much of greater Dublin without proper supplies.

Water chiefs have warned they do not know what has caused a serious quality issue at one of the state’s biggest treatment plants.

Water restrictions will be in place across Dublin from tonight as engineers work to fix a treatment problem at a water plant in Kildare.

Duffy once went on a 48-hour drinking binge.

Road chiefs tonight refused to give a green light to people driving home for Christmas as the big freeze was poised to strike again.

WATER shortages are the next big problem facing householders and businesses as a result of the ongoing freeze.

Householders across the Dublin region were bracing themselves for a water shortage tonight as councils revealed plans to restrict supplies.

Local authorities in Dublin say water supplies will be greatly reduced, and cut in some cases, between 7pm and 7am over the coming nights.

Further snow and sleet falls are forecast today in east Leinster and parts of south east Munster, with fresh accumulations of up to six centimetres.

Cash-strapped councils were tonight promised millions of euro to help cope with the big freeze as parts of the country lay paralysed under a blanket of snow.

ARCTIC weather conditions gripping the country will disrupt people’s travel plans this week.

THE Poolbeg incinerator initiative was (again) raised on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland (November 16).

Dublin’s newest bridge designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava arrived in the capital today after a week-long sea journey from Holland.

Ospreys 16 Munster 3

Wales captain Gareth Thomas will win his 100th cap in Saturday’s World Cup eliminator against Fiji after making a rapid return from injury.

Wales 72 Japan 18

Wales 72 Japan 18

MOTORISTS could be facing additional traffic chaos on the already congested M50 from this morning as a new ban on heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in Dublin city centre comes into effect.

TRUCKERS who drive through Dublin city centre without a valid permit will face a minimum fine of €800 when new restrictions on heavy goods vehicles (HGV) come into effect on February 19.

Plans to cut traffic gridlock in Dublin’s city centre were stepped up today.

RESIDENTS living close to Dublin Port Tunnel are warned today not to be unduly concerned if they see smoke billowing from the bypass.

New Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has named Ospreys prop Duncan Jones as captain of a youthful 28-man squad for this summer’s two-Test tour of Argentina.

Wales 16 France 21

COLIN CHARVIS has been dropped by Wales coach Scott Johnson as one of three personnel changes for the final RBS Six Nations Championship clash against France on Saturday.

Wales have dropped flanker Colin Charvis for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against title favourites France in Cardiff.

Wales head coach Mike Ruddock challenged his squad to “dispel the demons” of last weekend’s 47-13 defeat to England after naming an unchanged starting XV for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash with Scotland.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has made 11 changes from the side mauled by New Zealand for Friday night’s Millennium Stadium clash against Fiji.

All Black Xavier Rush and Lions openside Martyn Williams have been included in Cardiff's side to play Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.

UNTREATED sewage is being added to the clean water outflow of a new €300 million EU-funded treatment facility at Ringsend in Dublin.

Edinburgh 25 Llanelli 16

Wales caretaker coach Mike Ruddock believes his young side’s victory over Romania will put pressure on the senior players to perform against Scotland this weekend.

Cardiff flanker Martyn Williams will captain Wales in their Lloyds TSB tour game against the Barbarians at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Ways to combat heavy flooding which affected several parts of Ireland last year are due to be discussed at a conference of engineers in Co Offaly today.

Wales Under-21 35 England Under-21 9

MOPPING up operations continued over the weekend as residents began totting up the damage to property caused by severe flooding which struck low-lying areas in parts of Dublin, Meath and Kildare.

Officials have claimed success in ending a pollution threat to Dublin's River Liffey following a road accident involving an oil tanker.