Government 'has learned lesson' from previous cold snap

The Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey says the government has 'learned its lessons from last year' and made adequate provisions for this week's cold snap.

Around 80,000 tonnes of salt was brought in in July in preparation for freezing conditions similar to those of last winter, which brought parts of the country to a standstill.

Meanwhile, Met Éireann says temperatures could fall to -6C at night in some parts until at least Thursday.

The National Roads Authority says gritting and salting of all main routes, motorways and national roads is taking place twice a day.

"We are issuing general advice for people not to take any unnecessary journeys over the next number of days because road conditions will probably be dangerous in various parts of the country," said Dempsey.