The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) has said that the agri-food supply chain will likely return to normal operations in the coming days.

The NECG said that the agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry sectors experienced significant difficulties during the blockades.

However, it is expected that agri-food supply chains will return to operate normally in the coming days, the group said.

The NECG met yesterday (Monday, April 13) to review and coordinate the remaining impacts of the disruption caused by blockades on the transport network and national infrastructure.

The NECG brings together state agencies to coordinate responses to emergencies.

The group said that blockades at all Irish ports have now ended, and significant work is underway to process the accumulated cargo.

It is expected to take several days until the impacted ports are fully back to normal operations.

Fuel is said to be now moving well from key sites formerly under blockade, though it will take several days for distribution to return to normal.

The NECG called on the public to continue to only buy the fuel they need for the time being, as local stocks are replenished.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), meanwhile, has said that all its services are continuing and operational.

Patients with appointments are being told that, unless they hear otherwise from the HSE, they can assume their appointments are going ahead.

People who donate blood are being asked to continue doing so at local blood donation clinics when they occur.

For students, the NECG said that practical exams in certain subjects for Leaving Cert and Junior Cert, which were planned for today (Tuesday, April 14), are gong ahead as planned.

If travel disruptions prevent any student from fulfilling their exams, the NECG said they will have the opportunity to complete their exams.

The NECG is set to meet again today to continue to monitor the situations and to provide regular updates to the government.

Tractor driver arrested

A young man is due in court in Co. Cork later this week charged with dangerous driving and other road traffic offences while driving a tractor at Whitegate.

Gardaí said that a man driving a tractor and slurry tanker was arrested over alleged dangerous driving at Whitegate in Co. Cork over the weekend.

Shortly after 2:00p.m on Saturday (April 11), gardaí said they observed a tractor and slurry tank combination approaching a cordon checkpoint on the approach to Whitegate, Co. Cork.

The vehicle allegedly failed to stop at the checkpoint when directed by members of An Garda Síochána.