Letter written to the Irish Times by my father - 26/12/2010

We have had about a month of extraordinary weather, the likes we have not seen before and many previous records have been smashed.

While looking out my window on Christmas morning at the whitest Christmas i have ever seen, i noticed a jet with its white trail crossing the sky at about 11.30 am. i said to my self that will involve Christmas dinner in the skies.

It made me think that praise must be heaped on everyone in the transport business for doing everything they could for unfortunate commuters.

Bus Eireann staff facilitated a Christmas day service to main destinations up until 9 p.m. to get stranded passengers home in atrocious conditions. The snow plough workers and de - icers at Dublin Airport as well as the indoor staff who worked around the clock and on one day alone, 140,000 tons of snow was shifted from the runways.

The army that helped clear our footpaths and other works and I heard many a person saying that they were proud of their Army.

Local authority ordinary workers who have been out day and night gritting and salting roads up on the back of a lorry in arctic conditions, you could almost feel the numb fingers and toes that affected them all combined with being away from their loved ones for long periods of time.

The waterworks personnel who worked long hours out doors ensuring we have what we take for granted. We saw ordinary citizens at dangerous point on roads helping motorists along their way. Taxi men and women doing a very difficult job and going out of their way to help get people home safe and sound with the odds stacked against them. The ambulance crews who risked their lives to help others and save lives. Hospital staff that ensured a full service was maintained and I am sure that lives were saved and they were assisted by the Army in getting to and from work. There was and still are many voluntary organisations through the country working quietly behind the scenes helping the least well off of our citizens and the homeless.

I am sure there are many others also not mentioned. All these are our unsung heroes and what can we do to thank them?

We simply remember them when their jobs are got rid of, their pay slashed and unfounded criticism heaped against them while they and their family’s face into a New Year of uncertainty. What will we do without them when things get this bad again?

Perhaps the I. M.F. and the Euro Bosses together with their friendly Bond Holders will get out with their Hi visibility vests and shovels etc .to help our citizens.

We will wait and see.