Traffic restrictions as EU ministers visit Kildare
Lyons Farm in Celbridge and the National Stud and Gardens in Co Kildare
Co Kildare is set to play host to European agriculture ministers this week as Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union brings a major international delegation to the county.
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for Agriculture is taking place from Sunday, September 6, to Tuesday, September 8, with a number of events scheduled in both Dublin and Kildare.
Among the venues being used for the three-day programme are Lyons Farm in Celbridge and the National Stud and Gardens in Co Kildare.
The visit forms part of Ireland’s programme during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with agriculture ministers arriving through Dublin Airport on Sunday before departing on Tuesday.
A major policing and security operation is in place for the duration of the Presidency, with Gardaí warning that intermittent traffic restrictions and rolling road closures will be required as security escorts travel between venues.
For Kildare, the main disruption is expected on Monday, when temporary traffic restrictions and Garda motorcycle rolling road closures will operate between the Dublin 4 area and Celbridge between approximately 8.30am and 10am and again between 4.45pm and 6pm.
Motorists travelling between Dublin and Celbridge are being advised to allow additional time for their journeys and to follow instructions from Gardaí when encountering an escort.
Gardaí said traffic restrictions would be kept to the minimum required and that any impact on the public would be localised.
The National Stud and Gardens will also form part of the programme for the visiting ministers, bringing an international spotlight to Kildare’s agricultural heritage and its importance to the Irish farming sector.
Other venues involved in the Presidency programme include Dublin Castle, Herbert Park Hotel, Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Guinness Brewery and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
Gardaí have urged members of the public to comply with instructions during any rolling road closures and said operational plans remain subject to change for security reasons.
The Presidency operation also includes restrictions on the use of drones around venues hosting EU events.
The Irish Aviation Authority has warned drone operators to check current restrictions before flying, with drone detection systems in place at event locations.