The car park, bar and restaurant in Leinster House will be closed for politicians tomorrow ahead of US President Joe Biden’s address to the Dáil.
Politicians will also have to take an antigen test if they wish to be in the Dáil chamber to see the “most Irish US President since JFK’s” address.
Mr Biden will become the fourth US President to address a joint sitting of the Oireachtas when he gets to his feet in the Dáil just after 3:45pm on Thursday.
FOLLOW LIVE: US President Joe Biden arrives in Belfast before heading south
TDs and Senators were issued with advice late on Tuesday evening that advised they must take an antigen test 24 hours before entering the chamber.
As first reported by the Irish Mirror last week, both car parks in Leinster House will be closed.
The letter, seen by the Mirror, states that TDs and Ministers of State must park in Agriculture House, while Ministers can park in the Department of the Taoiseach. They must be parked before 12pm.
Ushers from Leinster House will be stationed at garda checkpoints, that are set to dominate Dublin City Centre today and tomorrow, to help identify politicians.
TDs and Senators must be seated in the Dáil by 3:20pm at the latest. They will not, however, be able to get food or drink before or after the address.
“There will be no restaurant or bar facilities between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the address, with the exception of the members’ bar which will remain open,” it reads.
“For security reasons, there will be restricted access to Leinster House.
“Certain parts of the building will be cordoned off and movement internally will be restricted during certain parts of the day.
“Members should be aware that access to the Main Hall, ceremonial staircase and chamber environs will be strictly limited to the President’s delegation and essential staff during the lead-in to, and for the duration of, the sitting.
“The staff of members and of political parties should only attend Leinster House where absolutely necessary and will only be admitted on production of a valid Leinster House ID card.
“In addition, there will be no visitor access to the Leinster House complex.
“All potential attendees are requested to take an antigen test within 24 hours of attendance, and not attend if the test is positive, or where feeling unwell.”
TDs and Senators had previously bemoaned the lack of information about President Biden’s address to the Dáil, with many approaching journalists to ask for details of the event.
Mr Biden will arrive in Dublin this afternoon following a whirlwind trip to Belfast. He will be greeted at Dublin Airport by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, before quickly departing to travel to Louth. Here, we will do a walkabout of Dundalk and Cooley.
He will stay in Dublin tonight ahead of a busy day of political engagements tomorrow. The visit will culminate on Friday with a public address in Mr Biden’s ancestral home of Ballina, Co Mayo.
Although Mr Biden’s main Dublin engagements do not start until tomorrow, Dubliners have been warned that a number of road closures will be in place from today.
While Dublin City Centre remains “open for business”, parking has been prohibited on a number of streets since 7am yesterday morning.
Gardaí confirmed that from 7pm this evening, Kildare Street, Molesworth Street, Merrion Street, Merrion St Upper, Fitzwilliam Lane, School House Lane, Merrion Square West and South will all be closed.
The Phoenix Park will also be closed for 24 hours from 5pm this evening
Mr Biden will arrive back in Dublin this evening to stay in the Conrad Hotel ahead of a busy day of political engagements tomorrow.
READ NEXT:
Tributes paid to Galway crash victims as school honours teens killed in tragedy
Painkillers containing codeine would require prescription under new proposals
Gardai issue full list of traffic restrictions during Joe Biden's visit
Wife of RTE Late Late host contender says husband would be perfect in role
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
