The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has paid tribute to health service staff nationwide for their ‘incredible dedication and commitment' during the current extreme weather conditions.

The blizzard conditions caused by Storm Emma have now passed and the shelter indoors warning has been lifted. However, up to one metre of snow fell in some places and a Status Red alert remains in place in Leinster, Munster and Galway, while an Status Orange alert is in place throughout the rest of the country.

People are being urged not to drive unless absolutely necessary, as roads are still treacherous and some remain impassible.

While most healthcare services, including hospitals, are only operating essential services, these still require a high number of staff to make it into work.

Speaking about these staff, Minister Harris acknowledged that they are ‘going to huge efforts to keep vital services open and ensure patients are looked after in very difficult conditions'.

"From across Ireland, I have heard stories today of healthcare workers walking to work, staying past their shifts, sleeping in hospitals overnight, and going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure their patients get the care they need.

"I would also like to thank our paramedics for transporting patients in very difficult conditions, Civil Defence staff for helping deliver crucial medication and the Defence Forces for transferring dialysis patients and medicines, as well as helping our dedicated health staff to get to work safely," he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Harris also appealed to the general public to continue to check in on vulnerable members of the community if it is safe to do so, to ensure that they are well and warm.