Hurricane Ophelia: anger at short notice for school closures

Gerard McKeown: Department of Education wanted to act quickly on Ophelia, but Sinn Fein wanted an Irish translation and the DUP wanted to introduce a loss-making storm scheme first.

Colin McCormick: Top marks, Gerard. Made me laugh.

Sinead McCourt Kirkpatrick: Gee whizz, people. Common sense prevails. As a parent, when you see these warnings, don’t we begin to put plans in place? Yet again, the problem here lies with parents assuming school is a creche facility. Should there not always be a back-up plan? What if your child was sick? What’s the problem? Your children will remain home for their safety. Enjoy the day at home and stay safe.

Ríce Jones: The problem is, we were told schools would be open, as there was no warning in place until 3pm. Based on that, there was no danger to anyone’s child. These warnings have been in place for 48 hours and haven’t changed. Yet the department has deemed —at 10.30pm—that their previous advice was wrong.

Rachel Lorimer McKinnon: If we had to put plans in place for weather, we would never be done.

Louise Moffatt: And what? If the weather changes dramatically and they didn’t tell us, parents would be up in arms. Again, can’t win.

Wilma Winters: I had already decided early that day that my child was not going to school, as the storm was to hit as the kids were leaving school, so I took my own precautions not to put my child at risk. Little too late with the announcement.

Arlene Heaney: Couldn’t agree with you more. Rachael Ferguson: Well, considering that Northern Ireland hasn’t had an education minister in seven months, is it any wonder the Republic were quicker to act?

Casheen Sloan: Pack of moanbags, if you ask me. Weather can be unpredictable — especially in Northern Ireland. I wanted to get my washing out, but you don’t see me complaining about it. Get over it and just get on with it.