In the lead up to Storm Emma, the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) with representatives drawn from Government Departments, Met Éireann and various other stakeholders met daily in the National Emergency Coordination Centre, which is located in Agriculture House, the Headquarters of my Department. The Group provided regular updates to the Media and to the wider public with safety for citizens a priority at all times.
In light of the Met Éireann red level warning for blizzard like conditions, and on the advice of the National Emergency Coordination Group, Government Departments, Offices and Agencies not involved in the provision of essential services were advised to close on Thursday and Friday in Munster and Leinster. My Department contacted staff to alert them to the office closure via email and SMS text and were notified that in the event that the red level warning extended countrywide, that all offices would close.
During the two days that my Department was closed to the public, a number of essential staff members continued to work in various locations around the country, as well as from their homes. As the NECG carried out their meetings in Agriculture House, this required a number of my staff to be in attendance.
No deductions from pay or leave will be made in respect of the days when the office was closed on the advice of the NECG. My Department is considering the arrangements that will apply in respect of staff who could not attend work due to adverse weather conditions on other days, given that a number of staff continued to work either in essential services or remotely.
