Dublin Airport closed until 5am tomorrow morning
Dublin Airport will remain closed until 5 o'clock in the morning.
Thousands of passengers are affected by the closure as they try to get home for Christmas.
But snow and ice on the runway are causing significant problems.
Aer Arann has already cancelled a number of its flights scheduled for tomorrow.
Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) spokesperson Siobhan Moore said the decision had been taken following friction tests carried out on the runway.
"Safety is first and foremost," Ms Moore said, adding that planes' ability to brake on the runway had been compromised by the conditions.
“Our snow and ice crew are working in difficult conditions to clear the runway, taxiway and apron area as quickly as possible,” she said.
“With over 600 acres of runway, taxiway and apron area to clear, one inch of snow over the airfield equates to more than 15,000 tons of snow to be removed.”
Flights had been suspended for a four-hour period before lunchtime today to allow the runway be cleared, before resuming shortly after 1pm.
Aer Lingus earlier cancelled all departing flights from the airport this evening.
Elsewhere, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus said most services around the country are operating as normal, with some delays and diversions in affected areas.
Dublin Bus has cancelled its NiteLink services for tonight because of the weather.
It says it will try to operate a full service up until the last bus at 11.30pm - but that will depend on weather and road conditions.
Motorists making the journey home for Christmas were warned to drive with extreme care as sub-zero temperatures plummeted with nightfall making roads treacherous.
Drivers in the east of the country especially face treacherous driving conditions this evening after heavy snowfall.
Met Eireann says the snow will stop this evening - and tomorrow into Christmas day should be dry and cold.
Traffic is also heavy on the main commuter routes in Dublin, with icy conditions adding to delays.
Gardaí are advising motorists that driving conditions are very hazardous on the M1 northbound and southbound near the services area at Balbriggan in Co Dublin.
A number of minor collisions have occurred and visibility is extremely bad due to the adverse weather conditions.
Sergeant Damien Hogan of the Garda Press Office said drivers should try to avoid the route.
Gardaí also urged drivers to remember that as they leave primary routes conditions on the secondary routes and lesser roads may not be as favourable.
Temperatures are expected to hit as low as minus 12C (10.4F) overnight with the freezing conditions expected to last until St Stephen’s morning.
