Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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697. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the special provisions that are being made to ensure the security of the State during the forthcoming holding of the EU Presidency from July-December 2026. [54883/25]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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722. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide the details of An Garda Síochána’s Operation Brehon. [55450/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 697 and 722 together.

Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. This will involve a significant programme of meetings and events across the country, including a number of major summits in Dublin.

My Department is committed to ensuring a successful Irish Presidency and will work closely with other Departments and State agencies in the planning and delivery of Ireland’s programme. Central to the Irish Presidency will be the vital role of An Garda Síochána, which is charged with supporting the safe and secure delivery of the Presidency.

Under Operation Brehon, An Garda Síochána has commenced detailed planning through the establishment of a dedicated EU Presidency Co-ordination Office to oversee all aspects of operational planning, logistics, and interagency engagement. This work is led by Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, and supported by a High-Level Working Group comprising members of the Garda Senior Leadership Team. The Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service will also play a central role.

Oversight and reporting structures are in place to ensure alignment with the broader Government planning process led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There is ongoing interdepartmental engagement through established co-ordination forums, as well as regular bilateral meetings with key Departments and State agencies.

Key strands of Operation Brehon include:

• assessment of security and policing requirements across all planned venues and events;
• engagement with national and international partners on threat and risk analysis;
• development of operational and resourcing plans; and
• planning for VIP protection, venue security, transport management, cyber resilience, and public order contingencies.