Now that the big snow has passed, the big thaw has begun in earnest. While most main routes have been cleared, a lot of secondary routes remain blocked particularly in counties Wicklow, Wexford and Kildare.

As well as being a significant disruption for everyday life, the impassable roads have led to massive problems for dairy farmers as milk lorries are unable reach them leading to bulk tanks' capacity being stretched to bursting point.

Recognising that farmers will be forced to dump milk due to over flowing tanks Glanbia announced it will pay farmers 20c/l (including VAT) for milk lost during Storm Emma, where a farm insurance policy does not cover milk lost.

Milk processors have been quick to thank farmers and members of the community who came out in their droves, armed with tractors, loaders and other pieces of equipment to clear the snow, which made roads passable and in turn made milk collection possible.

Videos of farmers going above and beyond the call of duty to help processors have been widespread, such as this one of a Barryroe lorry being pulled to collect milk from Donal and Dan Cronin and Maurice Fielding in west Cork.

\ Nick Ó Donnchú

Milk processors have been in contact with suppliers over the last number of days, keeping them up to date with the latest news regarding milk collection.

Glanbia, which covers a large portion of the worst affected southeast, has said that milk collections are under way, and they are battling the difficult conditions around the country.

LacPatrick logistics manager Ian Hamilton acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but thanked farmers for their efforts by saying:

“LacPatrick would like to thank the commitment of farmers, hauliers and staff in ensuring that milk was collected during the very difficult conditions last week.

"We are not yet back to normality, however, and some difficult cases remain. We are dealing with the worst affected farmers on a case-by-case basis and doing everything within our power to get the milk collected.

"As always, the safety of hauliers and farmers is our number one priority."

Strathroy has said that given the road conditions, access remains an "issue".

However its has also said that it "expects to have over 90% of suppliers collected by the end of today".

Lakelands has issued a statement thanking suppliers for their efforts in gritting pathways and keeping roads cleared.

The co-op also confirmed that as of 12pm today, no milk had been lost as a result of the bad weather and collections has resumed as normal.

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