Hazardous road conditions are affecting retail trade, with employers having to deal with staff shortages because employees have not been able to turn up for work. The cost of the bad weather on business is expected to run into millions of euro.
Chambers of Commerce in some parts of the country say that absenteeism is causing significant problems, with employees unable to make it into work.
One spokesperson in Carlow described ghost streets and deserted commercial premises. Another in Co Wicklow said that the bad weather was a heavy blow after an already tough year, although there are hopes that transport difficulties might mean people will shop local.
There is also difficulty accessing some industrial estates, although the view is that local authorities have learned from the last bout of cold weather.
Retail Ireland says that up to yesterday the effect of the bad weather was moderate, but that now the decline in trade is beginning to bite.
The Small Firms Association estimates that if half the private workforce lost half an hour today in delays, the productivity cost would be more than €7m. The SFA says distribution and retail companies are hardest hit.
Petrol stations have reported a fall-off in trade, but a large increase in sales of home heating fuel.
