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Hundreds still struggling with effects of snow storm Hundreds still struggling with effects of snow storm
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of farmers and rural residents are still suffering the effects of the heavy snow in Northern Ireland.Hundreds of farmers and rural residents are still suffering the effects of the heavy snow in Northern Ireland.
Seven hundred homes and businesses are still without electricity. Repair teams are having difficulty reaching some parts due to "impassable roads".
Many sheep farmers have been unable to get food supplies to their livestock and are facing significant losses.Many sheep farmers have been unable to get food supplies to their livestock and are facing significant losses.
The first minister, Peter Robinson, has suggested the executive may look at ways of compensating farmers. First Minister Peter Robinson has suggested the executive may look at ways of compensating farmers.
He was speaking on a visit to Dromara, County Down, one of the worst affected areas, where sheep farmers have been badly hit. Meanwhile, 200 properties are still without power. Helicopters have been deployed to areas where access is difficult.
His party, the DUP, has also asked for the Territorial Army to help clear roads. Farmer Campbell Tweed, a farmer from Cairncastle, near Larne, in County Antrim, said some of his sheep were getting their first feed in four days.
Farmer Campbell Tweed, a farmer from Cairncastle, near Larne, in County Antrim, said: "Some of the sheep are getting their first feed since Thursday.
"Road conditions are just incredibly bad. There's places where the snow at the side of the road is higher than the vehicles."Road conditions are just incredibly bad. There's places where the snow at the side of the road is higher than the vehicles.
"It's coming late in a very, very tough winter - it's just putting the tin hat on us for many of us.""It's coming late in a very, very tough winter - it's just putting the tin hat on us for many of us."
The first minister said his party had asked for the Territorial Army to help clear roads.
Mr Robinson was speaking on a visit to Dromara, County Down, one of the worst affected areas, where sheep farmers have been badly hit.
Abandoned cars have also been causing disruption on some roads.Abandoned cars have also been causing disruption on some roads.
NIE said it had worked to restore power to more than 137,000 customers over the weekend. Thousands lost their supply due to strong winds and heavy snow.NIE said it had worked to restore power to more than 137,000 customers over the weekend. Thousands lost their supply due to strong winds and heavy snow.
NIE says it could be Tuesday before power is restored to all customers.NIE says it could be Tuesday before power is restored to all customers.
"We're working with Roads Service to get roads cleared but in some areas we are going to have to helicopter crews and materials in," said NIE spokeswoman Julia Carson."We're working with Roads Service to get roads cleared but in some areas we are going to have to helicopter crews and materials in," said NIE spokeswoman Julia Carson.
"At the moment we've got small pockets of customers, really on high ground in and around, Stoneyford, Dundrod, Mallusk, areas of Ballycastle, Newcastle, and other areas of County Down as well.
"We have over 140 extra lines staff from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland and they've been helping our emergency crews on the ground. There are just some areas where we cannot physically get to the faults.""We have over 140 extra lines staff from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland and they've been helping our emergency crews on the ground. There are just some areas where we cannot physically get to the faults."
Small groups of customers are without supply in the following areas:Small groups of customers are without supply in the following areas:
Ms Carson said the weather conditions on Friday were "exceptional".Ms Carson said the weather conditions on Friday were "exceptional".
"Our key focus is to restore power," she said."Our key focus is to restore power," she said.
"We have been using a helicopter to patrol remote areas and have commissioned an additional helicopter to deliver NIE emergency crews, engineers and equipment into these areas on Monday by air."We have been using a helicopter to patrol remote areas and have commissioned an additional helicopter to deliver NIE emergency crews, engineers and equipment into these areas on Monday by air.
"Our incident management centre and local incident centres in affected areas are open and will remain operational until all customers are back on supply.""Our incident management centre and local incident centres in affected areas are open and will remain operational until all customers are back on supply."
NIE said any customers still without power should contact them.NIE said any customers still without power should contact them.
NIE's customer help line number is 08457 643643.NIE's customer help line number is 08457 643643.
Meanwhile Belfast Trust said some operations which were scheduled for Monday had been cancelled as a result of the bad weather.Meanwhile Belfast Trust said some operations which were scheduled for Monday had been cancelled as a result of the bad weather.
The trust apologised but said most planned surgery had gone ahead as planned.The trust apologised but said most planned surgery had gone ahead as planned.
It said it would continue to prioritise urgent and cancer patients.It said it would continue to prioritise urgent and cancer patients.
The trust said any cancelled operations would be rebooked at the earliest opportunity.The trust said any cancelled operations would be rebooked at the earliest opportunity.
A spokeswoman for the Northern Trust said hospital services were operating as usual.A spokeswoman for the Northern Trust said hospital services were operating as usual.
"Some community staff had problems reaching clients in remote rural areas who receive health and social care services," she said."Some community staff had problems reaching clients in remote rural areas who receive health and social care services," she said.
"Contingency plans were put in place to ensure that all clients were contacted and where possible received appropriate care."Contingency plans were put in place to ensure that all clients were contacted and where possible received appropriate care.
"Where staff could not reach clients due to severe weather conditions the trust contacted family and neighbours of clients and the PSNI to ask them to visit the client and provide support for these vulnerable people.""Where staff could not reach clients due to severe weather conditions the trust contacted family and neighbours of clients and the PSNI to ask them to visit the client and provide support for these vulnerable people."