Freeze Response Criticised

The senior civil servant charged with co-ordinating the Government's response to the big freeze will be grilled by TDs and Senators this week.

Sean Hogan, Chair of the Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee, will be questioned on Tuesday about the State's response to the arctic conditions - the worst for 40 years.

The move came as the Transport Minister Noel Dempsey was forced to defend holidaying abroad during the biggest freeze in 40 years, Ireland faced dwindling supplies of salt with the prospect of road closures.

However, Mr Dempsey insisted nothing more would have been done had he been here.

He said he cut short his week-long family break in Malta because of the controversy surrounding his absence, but said he was entitled to a holiday.

The Transport Minister arrived back in the country via Bristol - five days after leaving - after his flight from Malta was cancelled due to heavy snow at Dublin Airport.

This adds pressure to the Government which has already been blasted for its handling of the wintry conditions, with Sean Fleming, Fianna Fail Chair of the Oireachtas Environment Committee, saying members will be demanding an update on attempts to tackle the crisis.

"It is clear that there are far too many agencies involved in coping with national crises and this hampers the delivery of an efficient response for the people of Ireland," he said.

However, while Mr Dempsey was heavily criticised for remaining out of the country, he has returned to Ireland and was meeting with officials from the Emergency Response Co-ordination Committee.

The committee brings together representatives from a range of agencies including the Departments of the Taoiseach, Transport, Defence, Environment, Health, the Defence Forces, the Gardai and Met Eireann.

(BMcC/GK)