Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were updates on the Department website each day. There were 42 schools. I am not saying it affected 42 constituencies but it impacted on approximately 30. That will give the committee a sense of the magnitude.

Councillors were ringing the Department. Concerned citizens were ringing me. A former principal in Tyrrelstown was ringing me. Everybody was trying to give their help. It all helped and they all fed into the solution. Communications is a two-way street.

I acknowledge the dedicated team in Tullamore who worked on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the bank holiday weekend. When I visited, all I could see were empty packets of biscuits. I do not think the dietary conditions were great.