What is happening this week for Ireland's EU Presidency?

This week Ireland will play host to two major meetings of European leaders, with the largest security operation in the history of the State taking place.

The bigger of these meetings, on Thursday, may also coincide with a large-scale strike over public sector pay.

There will also be traffic restrictions across the city and disruptions to public transport.

But what are these meetings and why are they so important?

What is the European Political Community meeting?

As part of its EU Presidency, Ireland will also host 22 informal ministerial meetings, and over 250 other important meetings and conferences.

The EU Presidency is bestowed on one of the 27 different EU member states every six months and Ireland's turn began on 1 July.

But the European Political Community (EPC) meeting on Thursday will be the largest ever meeting of leaders to take place in Ireland.

The ninth meeting of the EPC will be hosted by Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Convention Centre in Dublin city's docklands.

Around 50 leaders will gather in Dublin for political and strategic discussions, with former tánaiste Leo Varadkar describing it simply as "speed-dating for high-level politicians".

He said there will be opportunities for quick meetings and sidebars on the sidelines of the main events.

It is an informal forum, meaning no binding decisions will be taken on Thursday.

How and when did the EPC start?

The EPC was established in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, to provide a space for political dialogue where leaders can address issues of common interest.

It first met in the Czech capital, Prague that year.

Two summits are held each year, alternating between EU member states and non-EU member states.

The last one took place in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, in May.

Who will be there?

It is an informal forum for European heads of state or governments, leaders of European Union institutions, and the secretaries general of NATO, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

A full list of who is attending this year's meeting is not publicly available yet.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to attend.

The Prime Minister of Canada was invited as a guest to the eighth meeting of the EPC in Yerevan.

What topics will be discussed?

European leaders will discuss how best to meet shared challenges.

Issues discussed in previous meetings include the conflict in Ukraine, European security, competitiveness, energy, and connectivity.

Leaders will start to arrive at the Convention Centre at around 10am on Thursday, before an opening address takes place at 11.30am.

Photos of the group will be taken at around 12.45 before roundtable discussions at 2pm.

Between 3pm and 5.15pm, EU leaders will have an opportunity for bilaterals and informal engagements.

The closing plenary will then be held between 5.15pm and 5.45pm. It will be followed by a press conference where journalists will find out how it all went.

The Taoiseach will host an official dinner in the National Gallery of Ireland on Merrion Square at 6.30pm.

Is the Government worried about security?

Planning for these meetings have been in the works for months.

It is the largest policing and security operation undertaken by An Garda Síochána in the history of the state.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has warned fuel and other protesters that there will be no toleration for disruption or blockages during the EPC meeting.

Over 5,000 gardaí will be involved in the operation to police the meeting, with over 1,000 armed and public order gardaí on duty every day.

Gardaí also say that every member of the force will be involved directly or indirectly in the policing operation in ensuring business continuity and providing support.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government is preparing for "all eventualities" ahead of this week's major events.

He also acknowledged the work being done by the National Cyber Security Centre.

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said she has seen the security structures in place between gardaí and defence forces and is confident all necessary measures have been considered.

Meanwhile, Leo Varadkar said other poorer countries including Moldova and Albania have hosted the meetings and said it would be "bad luck" if a wealthy country like Ireland could not host them successfully.

What happens on Friday?

The EPC Summit will be followed by an informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government on Friday.

This meeting will also take place in the Convention Centre, before leaders fly back to their respective countries.

What does this mean for me?

North Wall Quay will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, between Guild Street and New Wapping Street from 7am until Friday evening with diversions in place.

Anyone travelling to or around Dublin city centre is being warned to plan their journeys and expect major and prolonged traffic disruption.

A security cordon is in place around the Convention Centre, with barriers and no-parking restrictions.

There will be additional restrictions around the Convention Centre and National Gallery of Ireland from tomorrow, including the closure of the Samuel Beckett Bridge from 8pm.

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