Ireland will host the European Political Community (EPC) meeting on 12 November 2026 and an informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government (iEUCO) on 13 November. It will be the largest assembly of Heads of State and Government ever held in the country, with around 50 European leaders and the heads of European and international organisations expected.

An Garda Síochána is mounting the largest policing and security operation in the history of the State for the events on 12 and 13 November.

Preparations include the declaration of an extraordinary event under the Midland Working Time Agreement; a national roster for 10–14 November; the temporary reallocation of Garda staff and Garda Trainees from the Garda College for 12 November; and extensive liaison with the Irish Defence Forces, Government Departments, national transport providers, the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin Airport Authority, Shannon Authority, local authorities, international police services and embassies of attending leaders.

Business continuity will be maintained nationwide throughout the period, with no reduction in day-to-day policing. Across the operation, Gardaí will complete more than 15,000 12-hour tours of duty from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 November 2026.

The operation brings together frontline uniformed and plain-clothes personnel supported by Special Tactics and Operations Command (including Close Protection Officers, Emergency Response, Armed Support and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems units), Roads Policing and the National Escort Unit, National Public Order Units (including two water cannon), National Search Teams, mounted, dog, water and air support units, the Special Detective Unit and National Bureaus, alongside national and local intelligence units.

International support includes the Police Service of Northern Ireland, High Risk Security Network partners from Latvia and Portugal, and military partners assisting the Irish Defence Forces. International police will provide high-level specialist support only and will not perform frontline policing.

Strategic and Tactical Control Rooms will operate from 7am on Wednesday 11 November at the DMR Regional Control Room in the National Train Control Centre, Heuston Station, with local operation control rooms at key sites across Dublin. Logistical plans include serving more than 35,000 hot, sit-down meals at nine catering locations between 10 and 13 November, as well as welfare hubs, portaloos, weather shelters and a fleet of welfare vans with refreshments. Welfare Officers will be present at key catering and parading points. Security infrastructure will feature a range of barriers, including heavy vehicle mitigation, and security scanning where required. Additional transport assets have been procured, including motorcycles, cars, Public Order vans and support vehicles. More than 120 advanced-escort-trained Garda motorcyclists have been equipped with new protective suits and helmets, and over 200 motorcycle security escorts will operate over the course of the events. The National Public Order Unit has received new flame-retardant protective suits and personal body armour, with over 500 Public Order Gardaí on duty each day on 12 and 13 November, supported by more than 40 retrofitted Public Order Patrol Vehicles, water cannon and command vehicles.

An Garda Síochána has invested in advanced Counter-UAS technology to detect, track, identify and mitigate unauthorised or hostile drones. Over 200 trained search team members, supported by the Water and Dog Units and the Irish Defence Forces in certain areas, continue deep searches at relevant locations. Over 500 armed tactical Gardaí — including the Emergency Response Unit, Armed Support Unit, Special Detective Unit and trained close protection officers — will be deployed each day on 12 and 13 November, with additional local armed plain-clothes officers on protection duties at associated sites.

Orders under section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 are in place to control access to the Convention Centre Dublin and the National Gallery of Ireland.

The Irish Aviation Authority has put in place one of the largest Temporary Restricted Airspace (TRA) notifications over Dublin from 9am on Wednesday 11 November until 12 noon on Saturday 14 November 2026, including restrictions on drones. Pilots should check the IAA website immediately before operating for UAS Geographical Zones and TRA notices, which may be issued or updated at short notice. Counter-UAS detection systems will identify drones flying in restricted areas and their pilots. Breaches will be investigated by An Garda Síochána and the IAA. TRA notices and UAS Geographical Zones are listed on the IAA website.

A temporary maritime exclusion zone and associated outer control area will apply on the River Liffey and Dublin City coast from 00:01 on 11 November until 23:59 on 13 November 2026. Marine notices, issued for safety and navigation purposes, are available from the Department of Transport on Gov.ie.

An Garda Síochána aims to keep the policing and security response proportionate to safeguarding everyone’s safety and will share public information as soon as possible. People in affected areas of Dublin are asked to follow Garda directions, plan their day, allow extra time for journeys and expect delays.