ROADWORKS AND CLOSURES taking place across Dublin city in preparation for the EU presidency are causing traffic disruptions and inconveniencing locals, councillors say.
Ireland is hosting the presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July – a huge operation which will involve over 250 events and visits from many dignitaries and heads of state.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien previously confirmed the presidency would cause a certain level of traffic and travel disruption, particularly in Dublin.
Councillors say resurfacing works are now being carried out on roads that may be used by the visitors’ motorcades.
Many roads around Dublin Castle – where the presidency is being hosted – are currently closed for works. The castle itself has been closed since 15 June and will remain closed for the next six months.
Ship Street Great, Dublin 8, which forms part of the perimeter of Dublin castle, is currently closed and there is an active garda presence.
Meanwhile, Werburgh Street in Dublin 8 is closed from 7.30pm to 6am Friday, Thomas Lane, Dublin 1 is closed from 6am today to 8pm Friday and parts of South Anne Street in Dublin 2 have been closed since 27 February and will reopen Friday.
Councillor Mannix Flynn, member of the Dublin City Council transport committee, said road closures and works related to the presidency are having a “major negative impact” on the city by increasing traffic and noise pollution.
Speaking to The Journal, Flynn said that although some of the roadworks were scheduled to take place anyway, others are being carried out for the presidency.
“They want these people to assume we’re in a functional space, rather than a dysfunctional space,” he said.
The Councillor said the city will be “taken over” by the events and preparation.
“All these routes are being done to show [guests] they can get through our city in a jiffy, meanwhile we’re stuck in a bus,” he said.
“You can expect them to be wined and dined while you’re in a traffic jam or trying to avoid a pothole.”
Green councillor Hazel Chu, who is also a member of the committee, also told The Journal locals are being inconvenienced by the closures. She said they have been raising their concerns over it with her.
Chu said she understands the works need to be completed, but said locals and councillors should have been informed in advance so they could prepare, adding that councillors were generally only told of road closures the day they began.
The councillor also feels more resources are being allocated to the projects ahead of the presidency than when locals want action on traffic or policing in their community.
“Suddenly there’s resources everywhere,” she said.
“When it needs to be done it gets done, but when councillors ask for it, it doesn’t”.
Ireland will be hosting over 250 events during the EU Presidency, which it holds until 31 December.
The Department of Transport, and the Department of An Taoiseach have been contacted for comment.