Traffic delays expected across Cork during EU Presidency meetings this week

Commuters across Cork are being warned to expect traffic delays as an increased Garda presence is deployed to facilitate a series of informal EU Presidency meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The meetings, involving EU fisheries ministers, will be held at University College Cork (UCC), Cork City Hall, the Imperial Hotel on South Mall and Charles Fort in Kinsale.

Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place on the N27 and R600 between Cork city centre and Charles Fort on Tuesday afternoon. Further restrictions will apply between South Mall and UCC on Tuesday evening.

Additional traffic restrictions will be in place around Cork City Hall between 7.30am and 8.30am on Wednesday.

Gardaí say it will provide real-time traffic updates "where appropriate".

In light of the informal meetings, drone detection systems will be deployed at venues hosting the events.

An Garda Síochána said any breaches of restricted airspace will be subject to investigation.

The informal meeting will be chaired by marine minister Martin Heydon and will bring together European fisheries ministers, representatives of the European Commission and other industry stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, which has drawn criticism from some Irish fishermen over what they regard as restrictive fishing quotas.

The talks will also consider how the European Union can sustainably develop its fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Cork on July 2, and Ireland's presidency will continue until the end of 2026.