Minister Says “All Schools To Close” If A Status Red Weather Warning Is Issued

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy has said that a directive would be issued for all schools to close in the event of a status red weather warning.

It's expected that Met Éireann will make the upgrade from orange later in the week and Murphy said that automatic school closures would take place if and when that happens. 

Comparing the oncoming Storm Emma with the destruction of Storm Ophelia back in October, Murphy told Morning Ireland, "It’s a different type of weather event. We keep very much a close eye. When we had Storm Ophelia, we went to a national red. That was a decision that had to be made.”

Housing Min Eoghan Murphy also says red weather warnings may be issued for Thurs & Fri which would cause automatic school closures #iestaff

— Fiachra Ó Cionnaith (@Ocionnaith) February 26, 2018

Yesterday, National Director Of Fire And Emergency Management Seán Hogan told Morning Ireland that "Our objective is to try and keep schools open as much as possible until we see what happens on Thursday and Friday. That depends on local conditions."

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