Politicians will not be allowed to park in Leinster House on the day that US President Joe Biden addresses the Dáil, the Irish Mirror understands.
The Irish Mirror has also learned that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is not expected to speak in the Dáil during Mr Biden’s address to TDs and Senators.
Preparations have been underway in Leinster House for several days ahead of Mr Biden’s visit next Thursday.
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Although the visit was only officially confirmed on Wednesday, Secret Service Agents and senior gardaí have been present on the Kildare Street complex most days this week. The Irish Mirror witnessed security officials assessing the Dáil chamber on Wednesday. Cameras have also been erected in the hallways to capture the historic moment.
It is expected that security around Leinster House, Kildare Street and the surrounding areas will be extremely strict and tight on the day that Mr Biden arrives.
Journalists working daily in Leinster House have been warned that they will need extra accreditation to enter their usual offices.
The Irish Mirror understands that there will be up to 40 cars in Mr Biden’s cavalcade to Leinster House. It is expected that they will enter via the Merrion Street entrance to allow Mr Biden to come in the official entrance at the front of the building.
For both security and logistical reasons, it is expected that TDs, Senators and staff members will be told that they are not allowed to park their vehicles in the car parks. There are two car parks on the complex – One on the Kildare Street side and one on the Merrion Street side.
The Irish Mirror understands that politicians will be told to park elsewhere if they are driving.
Road closures are expected to affect Dubliners from Monday onwards. The National Concert Hall posted on Instagram that traffic will be curtailed on both Leeson Street and Earlsfort Terrace between April 10 and April 15.
Elsewhere, the Irish Mirror has learned that the Taoiseach will not speak during President Biden’s joint Oireachtas address.
While full details have yet to be nailed down, it is expected that Mr Biden will be in the chamber for an hour or less next Thursday.
During recent addresses to the Dáil from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders of all opposition parties were given an opportunity to speak.
The address on Thursday will be similar to when John F Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton spoke to the Dáil.
The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, will open proceedings and President Biden will then speak. The event will then be wrapped up by the Caoitherleach of the Seanad, Jerry Buttimer.
Further details of the proceedings are expected to be confirmed in the coming days, with senior Government sources warning that a lot of the visit is still up in the air.
Mr Biden will be in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, before travelling to Dublin on Wednesday evening.
He will travel to his ancestral home in Ballina, Co Mayo, on Friday, where a large public address will be held.
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