Army on standby as grit supplies dwindle

The Army was tonight ordered to prepare to clear the country’s main roads as Taoiseach Brian Cowen admitted grit supplies were running out.

Salt needed to keep the country’s main arterial routes open will hit critically low levels by the weekend – with more snow forecast in the biggest freeze since 1963.

After a meeting of the Government’s emergency response committee, Mr Cowen said it was working on where to get more as its three main suppliers struggled to meet the demands of local authorities.

Around 50,000 tonnes of rock salt – the amount normally used during an entire year in Ireland – has been used on the country’s national routes over the past few weeks alone.

“We have between 6,000 to 9,000 tonnes, it is expected for next week,” Mr Cowen said.

“So the question of availability of that material comes into play particularly after next weekend.”

The main suppliers, in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, as well as importers at Cork and Foynes, near Limerick – where a shipment is expected in tomorrow – are trying to cope with international demands as well as at home.

Blasting the Government response to the sustained sub-zero conditions, opposition parties demanded sand and alternative quarry grit be used to make the roads safer immediately.

But Mr Cowen denied the Government was slow to act and insisted there was a local response over the past three weeks, which would now be co-ordinated at national level.

The Taoiseach also dismissed criticism of Transport Minister Noel Dempsey’s absence during the big freeze, which has brought parts of the country to a standstill and severely impacted bus and rail services.

He said the response was being led by Environment Minister John Gormley while Mr Dempsey was abroad – at an unknown location – on holiday with his family.

Responsibility for the cross-cabinet action plan was handed to the Green leader’s department today.

Mr Dempsey is expected to return to Ireland later this week.

Dublin remains one of the worst hit areas of the country with Dublin Bus shutting down services at 8pm as compacted ice around the capital made conditions treacherous.

Met Éireann predicted there would be no significant thaw over the next six or seven days while more snow is forecast in the west overnight, and in the east and south next week.

Temperatures were expected to plummet to as low as minus 10C (14F) overnight for the second night in a row.

Drivers have been warned not to make unnecessary journeys where there is snow and ice.

Around six in 10 schools around the country remained closed for the first day of the new term, some Bus Éireann routes have been affected by frozen roads but rail bosses said they were only experiencing minor delays on a few lines.

The Road Safety Authority said learner drivers tests were being cancelled around the country.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) urged workers to be cautious and not take unnecessary risks in the cold after last year saw the lowest number of workplace deaths since the organisation started its work in 1989 – 43.

Martin O’Halloran, HSA chief executive, said: “These conditions are some of the worst we’ve seen for many years and pose significant extra risk for workers, particularly those who drive for a living and work outdoors.

“Farmers are facing significant challenges at the moment and I would urge them to take extra care.

“If work must be undertaken on the farm alone, let someone know where you are and what time to expect you back at.”

The safety chief added: “Even if you’re undertaking relatively simple work outdoors, be careful and be aware of the extra dangers posed by the ice and snow.”

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said the Civil Defence was also on standby to help the Defence Forces battle against the freeze.

Soldiers will be made available to help with general emergency transportation of foodstuffs, medicines, goods and personnel while air patrols are also being put on standby.

“It is the responsibility of each local authority to request the assistance of the Defence Forces,” said a spokeswoman for the minister.