MET ÉIREANN is considering including counties north of the border in any future national weather warnings.
The decision comes in the wake of criticism from Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile who accused the national forecaster of “amputating” Northern Ireland from its forecasts.
Though localised Met Éireann forecasts currently cover the entire island of Ireland, the UK Met Office covers warnings for Northern Ireland.
That could be subject to change with a spokesperson for the the Department of Housing confirming to Journal.ie it is “looking at ways” to incorporate alerts for the six counties in its forecasts.
“Warnings are essential to advise people of forecasted severe weather, help protect life and property and as such need to be issued with a single authoritative voice,” they said.
Ó Donnghaile has welcomes the news as an example of “Blue Sky Thinking”.
“The absence of weather warnings for the North being included on their public output … has caused much controversy and frustration in recent times,” he said.
“Not least given the increasing levels of adverse weather events which are becoming a worryingly more regular reality for people.
“All we needed here was some ‘Blue Sky Thinking’ and credit to Met Éireann who have today indicated they are up for that.”
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