An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy (General Affairs Council) is taking place over Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 September 2026 at Dublin Castle, as part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Irish Presidency's activity is primarily based at Dublin Castle, where a policing and security operation is in place for the duration of the Presidency.

The following streets are closed to both vehicles and pedestrians until 31 December 2026, with local access facilitated:

• Castle Street

• Ship Street Little

• Ship Street Great

Delegations will arrive and depart via Dublin Airport on Monday and Tuesday. Normal operations will continue at Dublin Airport throughout.

Formal and informal EU Presidency events are focused on:

• Dublin Castle

• Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge

• Herbert Park Hotel

Localised, temporary parking restrictions will apply in the Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 area from the afternoon of Monday 14 September until Tuesday 15 September.

Traffic measures will be kept to the minimum necessary and any impact on the public is expected to be localised. Members of the public are asked to follow the directions of Gardaí on duty during any escort-related rolling road closures. On Monday 14 September, intermittent, localised temporary traffic restrictions and Garda motorcycle rolling road closures will facilitate security escorts between 6.30pm and 7.15pm on routes between Ballsbridge and Dublin Castle.

On Tuesday 15 September, localised temporary traffic restrictions and Garda motorcycle rolling road closures will operate between 7.45am and 8.30am from Ballsbridge to Dublin Castle, primarily affecting Merrion Road, Mespil Road, Leeson Street, St Stephen's Green, Kevin Street, Bride Street and adjoining roads.

An Garda Síochána is working to ensure the policing and security operation is proportionate and designed to protect everyone's safety. The organisation will share information with the public as soon as it is in a position to do so, asks people to heed the advice and instructions of Gardaí, and thanks the public for their co-operation.

An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and public transport providers to minimise disruption across the network. All operational plans remain subject to change for security and operational reasons.

Where appropriate, real-time updates will be issued by the Garda Press Office via press releases and official channels:

• X: @gardatraffic and @gardainfo

• Facebook: An Garda Síochána

• Instagram: @gardainsta

• Website: www.garda.ie