Northern Ireland Executive: Minister Kimmins pays tribute to front-line staff responding to Storm Éowyn

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has paid tribute to front-line staff in the Department who worked around the clock in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

Minister Kimmins was speaking at Traffic Information and Control Centre, as she met a range of Departmental staff who played key roles to clear roads and ensure access to critical infrastructure was achieved following the storm.

Minister Kimmins said: “I really wanted to meet some of you personally to extend my thanks for your dedication and commitment to delivering public services, in all conditions throughout the year.    

“Over 3,000 incidents of obstructions of trees and debris on roads were reported to the Department following Storm Éowyn. It took a massive co-ordination effort to get those roads cleared and opened safely. 

“In addition, teams from DfI assisted other agencies including NIE Networks, PSNI, NI Water, health and telecommunications services, to gain access to their critical infrastructure, enabling them to ensure that the services we expect and take for granted were available as quickly as possible. 

“The recent storm reminds us that staff from the Department for Infrastructure go out in all weathers, leaving behind their families, to make our roads and communities safe and for that I pay tribute to them.”