FAQs on EU Presidency

European Union member states take turns holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. The Presidency's role is to chair most meetings of the Council, set its work programme and agendas and act as the representative of the Council.

This will be the eighth time Ireland has led the Council of the European Union since 1973, last holding the Presidency in 2013.

Ireland’s EU Presidency runs from 1st July until 31st December 2026. More than 270 events will take place across the country throughout the six-month period as part of the Programme of the Irish Presidency.

An Garda Síochána will implement traffic management plans and the appropriate policing and security measures to facilitate these events.

Since January 2024, we have been preparing for the policing and security requirements of Ireland hosting the EU Presidency.

A robust governance structure, led by Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, Shawna Coxon, monitors and reviews the work across the organisation to prioritise and prepare for the demands of the Presidency.

Garda preparations have included meetings with senior officials in relevant agencies including the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces.

In addition, Gardaí have visited countries that recently held the presidency to learn from their experiences, and policing and security colleagues have also visited Ireland.

In preparation for Ireland’s EU Presidency we have procured various vehicles and items of equipment to ensure the delivery of an appropriate security operation during the Presidency and enhance the security and protection capabilities of An Garda Síochána currently and beyond the Presidency.

This has included:

Tactical truck for use by specialist firearm Garda units including Emergency Response Unit (ERU), and Armed Support Units (ASUs)

• Fixed-wing aircraft
• 78 cars for transporting dignitaries and officials
• 75 motorcycles for escort duties
• 12 mini-buses for transporting Gardaí
• Enhanced body armour for public order units
• Hostile vehicle mitigation
• ICT systems and support

We have invested in additional training for Gardaí in areas such as close protection; strategic, tactical and operational command; public order and motorcycle escort.

There has been significant investment in our drone and counter-drone capability over the last 18 months.

Speaking earlier this year, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said he was confident that An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capability to deal with drones up to the law enforcement standard across Europe.

Garda managers have been engaged in a series of table-top exercises on potential scenarios for policing the EU Presidency.

In preparation for Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026 we have been procuring various items of equipment to ensure the delivery of an appropriate security operation during the Presidency and enhance the security and protection capabilities of An Garda Síochána currently and beyond the Presidency.

This includes significant investment in our drone and counter-drone capability over the last 18 months.

Earlier this year, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said he was confident that An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capability to deal with drones up to the law enforcement standard across Europe.

In preparation for Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026 we have been procuring equipment and investing in training to ensure the delivery of an appropriate security operation during the Presidency and enhance the security and protection capabilities of An Garda Síochána currently and beyond the Presidency.

This includes key areas such as ICT systems and support while Garda managers have been engaged in a series of table-top exercises on potential scenarios for policing the EU Presidency.

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau will continue to work with partners such as the National Cyber Security Centre, Europol, Interpol, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to combat potential threats in this sphere.

In general, traffic restrictions and diversions for EU Presidency events will be kept to the minimum required and it is intended that any impact on the public be localised and minimal. We would ask members of the public to heed the advice and instructions of Gardaí and we thank them for their co-operation. We will continue to liaise with businesses and local residents in the key locations and will communicate directly with them during the EU Presidency where required. We are working to ensure that the nature and scale of our policing and security operation continues to be proportionate to the need to protect everyone’s safety during the EU Presidency.

We will continue to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and public transport providers to minimise disruption to the public transport network. Operational plans are subject to change for security and operational reasons.

The Garda Press Office will provide real-time updates, where appropriate, via press releases, our social media channels and website:

• • X @gardatraffic and @gardainfo
  • Facebook An Garda Síochána
  • Instagram @gardainsta
  • Website Garda.ie website 

We have been liaising with businesses and local residents in the key locations and will continue to communicate directly with them during the EU Presidency, where required. We are working to ensure that the nature and scale of our policing and security operation continue to be proportionate to the need to protect everyone’s safety during the EU Presidency.

We continue to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and public transport providers to minimise disruption to the public transport network.

During the six months of the EU Presidency Gardaí will work to keep people safe at public events across the country in every Garda Division. This includes major sporting events, concerts, festivals, agricultural shows, féiles, car exhibitions, regional fleadhs, charity cycles, road races and fairs to name a few.

In general, An Garda Síochána has in place an appropriate policing plan for every major event. These events are planned through Event Co-Ordination Offices in each Garda Community Engagement area, based on individual event risk assessments, ensuring that not only are the events appropriately resourced to ensure that all those in attendance have a safe and enjoyable time but that An Garda Síochána continues to provide day-to-day services and response to the public keeping people safe.

If you wish to make a report to Gardaí you can do so by phone or in person at any Garda Station. Our station directory can be found here: Station Directory - Garda

In an emergency always call 999/112.

With more than 270 events, it will be a busy six months for Ireland’s EU Presidency. For more information go to Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026

The Irish Presidency is primarily concentrated in Dublin Castle while there will also be key events in Cork city and Ballina, Co. Mayo.

On Monday, 15th June 2026 a policing and security operation began at Dublin Castle and will remain in place for the duration of the Presidency with the venue being closed to the public.

The following roads are currently closed to both traffic and pedestrians as part of this operation and will remain closed until 31st December 2026:

• Castle Street
• Ship Street Little
• Ship Street Great

Local access is being facilitated.

The Garda Museum will be closed for the duration of theEU Presidency. However, our Museum team will continue working throughout the six months and can be contacted in the usual way:

By telephone on 01 6669998 or by e-mail to museum@garda.ie.