MORE than 200,000 people are expected to flee the country this weekend, despite the fact that the general election will not take place until next October.
The result is likely to be delays on major routes, compounded by the Cork Jazz Festival and the Dublin City Marathon, with traffic expected to be especially heavy and slow-moving on the N7 to Portlaoise, southbound on the Nil and heading north to Belfast on the NI.
The ongoing road improvement work on the Naas dual carriageway may yet be declared part of our archaeological heritage, given that people seem to have been digging there for almost as long as they did at Newgrange and there are speed restrictions between Newlands Cross and Rathcoole.
For those travelling from Galway to Spiddal, there are road-works on the Barna Road at Cappagh.
In Waterford, there are road-works on the N25 Waterford/Dungarvan road, although these can be avoided by taking the road to Kill and heading west along the coast.
In Longford, there are road-works and temporary lights on the N4 east of Edgeworthstown.
Because of the Dublin City Marathon, people travelling to Dublin Airport on Monday from the southside of the city are advised to use the East Link Toll Bridge or Butt Bridge.
Aer Rianta is expecting an 11 per cent increase on last year in the numbers of passengers at each of the state's airports this weekend, but no delays are anticipated.
Because of concern at possible industrial action, Irish Ferries is asking passengers to contact the company at (01) 661 0511; (053) 33158; or (021) 50433 from 9 am. Stena Line will carry 50,000 passengers over the weekend and, weather permitting, does not expect any delays.
Iarnrod Eireann expects to carry in excess of 100,000 passengers throughout the weekend and 30 extra trains have been laid on. There will be alterations to the schedules so travellers should check train times. Special bank holiday schedules are available from mainline stations.
From today until early-morning departures on Monday morning, the Dublin-Sligo train will operate with a bus transfer to and from Maynooth.
The Dublin-Maynooth rail service will also be replaced by a bus service on Sunday and certain services from Dublin to Longford will be cancelled over the weekend.
Bus Eireann's normal weekday service will operate today but a number of Sunday services geared to cater for weekend travellers returning to major centres will be cancelled.
On Monday, October 28th, there will be a number of alterations with additional evening services for those returning to major centres and extra services early on Tuesday morning to Dublin from Rosslare, Killarney, Castleisland, Limerick and Tralee.
A hotline (01-836 6111) will operate from 08.30-19.00 today and 09.00-19.00 on Sunday and Monday.