Byrne encourages public to plan ahead as Ireland prepares to host major European summits

European Affairs Minister, Thomas Byrne TD, has encouraged the public to plan ahead if travelling in, or near Dublin, ahead of two major European summits this week.

On Thursday, 12 November, Ireland will host a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) which will see around 50 leaders gather in Dublin for political and strategic discussions. The EPC Summit will be followed on Friday, 13 November, by an informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government.

Both meetings will take place in the Convention Centre on Dublin’s North Wall Quay. The meetings will be the largest ever meetings of Heads of State or Government to take place in Ireland.

An extensive policing and security operation will come into effect on Tuesday, 10 November.

Minister Byrne said: “If you are planning to travel to Dublin City, Dublin Airport or Dublin Port on the 11, 12 or 13 of November, I strongly encourage you to check the latest public transport information and plan your journey accordingly. Certain roads will be closed, public transport routes diverted, and delays are expected. Leave plenty of time for your journey and if possible, you should monitor updates across social media. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption to the public and to businesses, while policing these important events safely and successfully. I am encouraging anyone affected by these major summits, to plan ahead and ensure you leave adequate time for your travel.”

These security considerations and measures will impact those who live, work and study in the areas around the Convention Centre, the National Gallery and on routes between Dublin Airport, Casement Aerodrome (Baldonnel) and several city hotels, as well as public transport users.

Updated Information on the summits is available on garda.ie.

Updated public transport information is available from the National Transport Authority, Transport for Ireland and individual service operators.