Stormont's Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins was speaking as she watched a training exercise with flood defences in central Belfast.

Met Éireann is warning of a risk of spot flooding, and lightning damage.

Mr Murphy said it would not be clear until the weekend whether schools would open on Monday when they can see how much snow has accumulated.

John Fahy described driving home during the worst of the storm, which hit southern Spain on Tuesday.

Pedro Sanchez thanked the people of Ireland for their solidarity and kindness.

Met Éireann says heavy and persistent rain will lead to spot flooding.

Some 20 properties in Bantry, Co Cork were flooded amid heavy rainfall on Saturday.

Met Éireann is forecasting 'heavy and persistent rain' this weekend

The status-orange alert is for Cork, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford.

The Government aims to have 90% of local authority services available online within the next six years.

The warning is valid from 10:26am this morning to 9pm on Saturday evening.

One man said he witnessed a bottle being thrown and staff raising their voices.

Two families have been forced to evacuate their homes near Curraghboy village in Roscommon due to serious flooding

In Kilkenny, the Mullinavat to New Ross Road was closed due to flooding - and there were floods between Mullinavat and Knocktopher

Met Éireann said Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford will be affected until midnight tonight

A high tide advisory has been issued by Met Éireann which will stay in place until Monday evening

Extreme weather events this autumn and winter left shops and homes in Midleton, Carlingford and Newry flooded after intense rainfall.

Warnings for wind, rain and thunder will cover much of the west throughout Thursday

In late October, heavy rainfall arising out of Storm Babet led to the flooding of houses in the east Cork town

Met Éireann said rain with heavy falls at times combined with already saturated ground.

The island has been battered by heavy rain and flooding in recent weeks.

On Monday, the Quoile Bridge connecting Downpatrick to Killyleagh was closed, after a crack appeared between the wall and road surface of the bridge.

Heather Humphreys visited business owners and householders in Carlingford on Friday.

Downpatrick, Newcastle and Newry are among the areas worst affected

A status yellow rain warning is in place for six counties from 7pm on Wednesday until 7am on Thursday.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy expressed frustration as discussions on how to help businesses go on.

A dinghy was involved in efforts to take people to dry land in the Haven estate in Rosslare on Monday.

There has been flooding in parts of Cork, Waterford and Wexford following heavy rainfall overnight

The Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Michael Doyle, has told of the fear and excitement experienced by children at a primary school in Inistioge which was surrounded by water yesterday with some of them rescued by being carried out by piggyback

Storm Agnes battered Ireland on Wednesday with flooding and damage to building in different parts of the country