300,000 to strike as 50 EU leaders land in Dublin for summit

The Presidency describes the EPC summit as bringing European heads of state or government together with leaders of key European and international institutions, for informal political and strategic discussions. The EPC has met eight times since 2022, making Dublin the ninth meeting and, according to the Presidency, the largest gathering of heads of state and government Ireland has hosted.

Both high-level meetings will take place in Dublin's Convention Centre on 12 and 13 November. The 13 November informal EU meeting, chaired by the president of the European Council, is intended to support open political discussion and strategic reflection on the future direction of the Union.

Ireland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. During the term Irish Ministers chair Council meetings and Ireland hosts 22 informal ministerial meetings alongside the November summits.

The Presidency has warned that the summits will require significant security measures likely to affect residents and businesses around the Convention Centre and the National Gallery, as well as public-transport users. Road closures, public-transport diversions and parking suspensions should be expected, with movement most difficult close to meeting locations.

Wednesday 11 November, Thursday 12 November and Friday 13 November are likely to be the dates where members of the public will experience most restrictions. An Garda Siochana is to publish information about potential disruptions in advance, while the National Transport Authority will publish updated public-transport information.

A strike on 12 November would add to pressure on services and travel that day. The Examiner reported the action could see teachers, nurses, civil and public servants intensify industrial action, and that the EPC event will also be affected by a Garda work-to-rule.

Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission were adjourned late last Friday, with unions saying an impasse had been reached. Unions had been considering Wednesday, 11 November for the all-out strike, but following a meeting of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions public services committee the date was moved to 12 November.

ICTU public services committee chairman Kevin Callinan denied the date was chosen to coincide with the EPC event. “This was more driven by logistical considerations and the fact that previously we had a strike on a Wednesday, and it was felt that we should vary it for various reasons,” he said.

Mr Callinan said the action will differ from the 14 October day of action, including a change in approach to derogations, and warned work-to-rule will intensify after next week's strike. He said unions had responded on the duration of an agreement and productivity, but the Government had come up short on pay, cost-of-living measures, local bargaining and low-paid workers.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said it was “extremely regrettable that ICTU have chosen to escalate matters further by announcing a strike day for the November 12”. He warned the action will cause significant disruption to critical services while the industrial relations process remains ongoing.

Mr Chambers said the Government wants an agreement that gets the balance right by delivering a pay deal that is fair and credible to workers and is fiscally responsible and sustainable for the country. Government sources expressed hope a pathway could be found to get talks back on track.

An independent group was due to meet both sides separately on Tuesday, 3 November in a bid to break the deadlock. The group comprises Kevin Foley, Oonagh Buckley, secretary general at the Department of the Environment, and ICTU's Owen Reidy.

Expected next step: This may change.

If no agreement is reached, the strike will coincide with the arrival of about 50 European leaders in Dublin, followed by the informal EU leaders' meeting on 13 November. The Department of Foreign Affairs did not confirm on Monday night whether it would seek a derogation for its staff to work at the EPC.

Transport for Ireland lists the EPC meeting on 12 November and the informal meeting of EU heads of state or government on 13 November among its EU presidency events in Dublin. It warns traffic diversions and public-transport delays may be experienced around event locations and airports, and advises passengers to check live updates.

The Presidency has begun community engagement with residents and businesses inside security cordons about access and business continuity. Updates on road closures, diversions and alternatives are to be shared closer to the dates, with people asked to consider how disruption might affect plans for 11 to 13 November.