Dublin is set for considerable traffic and public transport disruption this week as the city hosts two EU presidency gatherings, with An Garda Síochána mounting the largest policing and security operation in the history of the State, according to The Irish Times.
The European Political Community meeting, bringing together heads of state and government from across Europe, takes place on Thursday at the Convention Centre Dublin, followed by a formal dinner that evening at the National Gallery of Ireland. An informal meeting of EU heads of state or government will be held at the convention centre on Friday.
Transport for Ireland has warned of significant disruption to public transport in central Dublin between 10 and 13 November, while Dublin City Council has urged commuters to reconsider how they travel.
Why it matters
The scale of the operation is without precedent in the State, and its footprint stretches well beyond the two venues. Roads around the docklands and Merrion Square will be closed or restricted for much of the week, bus routes will be diverted, and two Luas Red Line stops will shut.
The timing compounds the pressure. Four Niall Horan concerts are scheduled at the 3Arena on 9, 10, 12 and 13 November, meaning tens of thousands of concertgoers will need to navigate the same restricted zone as delegates, security personnel and city workers.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the State was "well prepared to deal with threats" ahead of the high-profile meetings, The Irish Times reported. The Irish Independent, in an editorial, criticised a Garda work-to-rule during the EU presidency events as not being in the public interest.
Road closures and security cordons
A security zone takes effect around the Convention Centre from Tuesday morning, barring cycling, walking and vehicle access. North Wall Quay closes to traffic and pedestrians from 7am on Tuesday until Friday evening, with east-west traffic redirected onto approach roads.
On Wednesday, a cordon with barriers and parking restrictions will be set up around the National Gallery of Ireland from 7am. From 8pm that evening, a broader security and traffic management cordon extends around the convention centre until Friday evening, closing the Samuel Beckett Bridge and restricting the north inner city between Sheriff Street, Amiens Street, East Wall Road and North Wall Quay.
Between 7am and midnight on Thursday, movement will be limited in an area bounded by Baggot Street, Fitzwilliam Street, Merrion Square North, Clare Street and Kildare Street. Residents and businesses will retain access, subject to security checks. Further parking and traffic restrictions apply near Merrion Square and the docklands from 7am until late on Thursday.
Buses, Luas and rail
The National Transport Authority said many central Dublin bus routes and some Luas Red Line services will be affected from Tuesday to Friday. Buses will be diverted from the quays east of the Custom House, with stops and termini around Connolly and the southeast city centre impacted.
Dublin Bus will run more than 130 routes, but a very large number of them will be affected over several days. From 8pm on Wednesday, the Luas Red Line will run normally to The Point stop at the 3Arena, though Mayor Square and Spencer Dock stops will be closed.
Irish Rail services will continue, with some diversions for passengers using Docklands Station. The M50 and Dublin Tunnel are not expected to be directly affected.
Dublin City Council has asked people travelling to work to consider their mode of transport, to use public transport, walk or cycle where possible, and to cut car use as much as they can.
Hospital and 3Arena access
The National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street sits inside the restriction zone. Its master, Jennifer Walsh, said the hospital was open and prepared, but advised people with standard appointments, which will continue, to leave early and allow plenty of time. Access for staff and patients will be facilitated at crossing points and barriers, though the hospital expects significant traffic and parking restrictions and has published travel routes from all sides of the city on its website.
The 3Arena concerts will go ahead as scheduled. There will be no east-west traffic on North Wall Quay from 10 to 13 November, but vehicles can reach the venue via Seville Place, Sheriff Street Upper, East Wall Road and the Tom Clarke Toll Bridge at all times. No Luas services will run to the arena before the Thursday and Friday concerts, and a limited westbound service will operate from The Point afterwards. Pedestrians should use Amiens Street, Seville Place, Spencer Dock Bridge, Sheriff Street Upper and North Wall Avenue, as North Wall Quay will be closed to walkers on Thursday and Friday.
Commuters should watch for further NTA and Dublin City Council updates as the cordons are put in place from Tuesday morning.
