Gormley defends handling of cold weather crisis

THERE was “no unnecessary delay” by Government in responding to the recent weather crisis, Environment Minister John Gormley has insisted.

The Government was heavily criticised during the crisis because it did not convene its emergency response committee until early January — almost three weeks after the cold spell had begun.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey was also criticised because he remained on holiday in Malta for most of the week when the weather was at its worst.