Early last week the Marine Institute warned that Ireland will experience "a period of unusually high tidal ranges", which will peak in Galway and Cobh on Saturday 9 September and in Dublin on Sunday 10 September.

The high tides will cause significant flooding only if accompanied by storms and severe weather conditions. So far, according to Gerald Fleming of Met Eireann, the outlook is fairly settled.

However, as next weekend is at the very limit of forecasting range, this prediction could change.

In Dublin, the Metropolitan Emergency Planning group consisting of gardai, health staff and the coast guard had been put "on alert". Dublin City Council will "monitor the situation and mobilise resources as required", a spokesman said. "Those living in coastal areas are advised to listen to weather forecasts closer to the dates in question."

In 2002, large areas of the capital along the Tolka and Dodder rivers were devastated by flash floods. The subsequent clean-up operation cost over 10m.

Since then, the council has put in place a new early-warning system in conjunction with Met Eireann which is expected to kick in next weekend. "This will ensure the city gets the best possible advance warning of weather related impact, " said the spokesman.

Likewise, Galway City Council said that adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and high winds would, if they occurred, increase the predicted tide levels even further.

It warned of the danger of flooding in the lowlying areas of the city centre on Saturday evening when the high tides are expected to peak at over five and a half metres.

"Local householders and business premises are advised to provide protection to their premises so as the minimise the risk of flood damage to their property, " a council spokesman said. The council will issue further advice and information tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Office of Public Works, which oversees flood defence projects throughout the country, is to launch a new website early next month which will provide prospective house buyers with detailed information about the history of flooding in the area in which they plan to buy their house or land.