Minister Calls for Halt to Non-Urgent Water Works
Housing Minister James Browne has formally requested that Uisce Éireann postpone all elective water works during the current period of extreme heat across Ireland. In a letter to Niall Gleeson, the utility's chief executive, Browne expressed serious concern about the potential impact of water outages on vulnerable groups, including the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, and young children.
Browne urged the utility to review all scheduled works and delay any non-urgent projects until the heatwave subsides. For works that must proceed, he demanded maximum notice and alternative water provisions for affected residents.
Temperature Forecast and Warnings
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow high-temperature warning for every county in the Republic of Ireland, effective from midday Tuesday until 9 am Friday. Thursday is forecast to be the hottest day, with temperatures reaching up to 31°C in parts of the Midlands and Connacht, according to meteorologist Mark Bowe. Wednesday's highs are expected to be around 27–28°C, with overnight lows above 15°C.
The warning includes risks such as water safety issues due to increased use of lakes and beaches, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress, and possible forest fires. Bowe also noted a risk of thunderstorms, with heavy showers possible in the northwest on Friday afternoon.
Impact on Northern Ireland
The UK Met Office forecasts maximum temperatures of 24°C in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, potentially rising to 27°C on Thursday. The weekend outlook includes showers or longer outbreaks of rain, possibly heavy and thundery at times, on Friday and Saturday.
Browne's intervention underscores the government's focus on protecting public health during the extreme weather, particularly for those most at risk from water shortages.
