Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

The report came back from the central committee and the indication from that committee - from a senior official in my Department whom I respect very much - was that the weather forecast for that weekend was extremely bad and would have consequences. As the Deputy will be aware, a board of management has responsibility within the school itself. I felt I had a responsibility outside of the school. I felt that if we had snow of the expected nature on the Sunday night, parents and children would be in danger. It was on the basis of health and safety that my official advised at the meeting that we would consider closing schools but that he had to liaise with me.

On the embargo, I took a decision as early as I could on the Friday so that schools and parents would be aware of what was coming down the track and they could make arrangements. I was in Cork city. I did an interview with one media organisation, which, I think took place at approximately 4.30 p.m., and which was supposedly for the 6 o'clock news. The media organisation ran the story at 5 o'clock, which caused difficulty, and we then decided we had better tell all of the other media outlets.

Unfortunately, Mr. Seán Hogan was on Matt Cooper's programme live at 5 o'clock and was not aware of the decision. He would have been aware of the forecast for the weekend and of the concerns, but we had not communicated it to him. I had telephoned the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, and left a message on his mobile telephone. I got my Secretary General to telephone the Secretary General of that Department to advise her of this decision. Therefore, all avenues were covered.

Can I, before I finish,-----

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