The Chair of the National Emergency Coordination Group, John Barry has said that the River Shannon catchment area is moving into the recovery phase following recent heavy flooding.
Jim Carey of the OPW said that all gauges on the Shannon were showing a fall in water levels. They were down by approximately 5 cm in Carrick-On-Shannon, 2cm in Athlone, 3cm in Lough Derg and by 4cm in Limerick.
However Mr Carey said that flood levels on the Shannon remains at a severe level and flood defence work would continue.
He said that there was some evidence of reversing flood waters but it would take weeks for them to recede fully.
Tom Brown of the ESB said that the water flow at Parteen Weir had been reduced from 405 cubic meters per second to 370 cubic meters.
Meanwhile, Helen Faughnan of the Department of Social Protection said that less than 200 households have sought payments following flooding.
These payments are already being made. First stage payments have been paid out for things like heating, dehumidifiers, clothing and bedding etc.
The department has moved into second stage payments for items such as white goods (washing machines, fridges, cookers etc).
Ms Faughnan gave an example of Galway and Mayo, where 60 payments have been made and 50 payments are being processed. The amount of these payments range from €200 to €2,500 and in once instance €3,000.
Liam O'Dwyer of the Irish Red Cross which is administering the scheme to assist small businesses affected by flooding said the first five payments were processed today.
Mr O'Dwyer said that the IRC had received 61 applications and that 50 had been sent to local authorities.
He said 62% of applicants were looking for €5,000 or less, 38% looked for the initial €5,000 and then payments up to €20,000.
Mr O'Dywer said that a more detailed analysis was needed on the applications for larger sums and this would be carried out after Christmas.
Gerald Fleming of Met Éireann said that while we were still in a wet period, there were no weather warnings at the moment.
Mr Fleming said that there may be some status yellow warnings over the next seven days, which would not be unusual in winter.
He said temperatures have been very mild, staying in double figures last night, and they were likely to stay in double figures tonight.
Earlier, Mr Fleming said a white Christmas is off the cards.
