Clare Minister Of State On Largest Security Operation Underway For EU Summits

World leaders are gathering in Dublin where Ireland will host a meeting of the European Political Community for the first time.

It's the largest gathering of heads of state to ever happen in this country - requiring the biggest policing operation in Garda history as well.

Along with the 27 member states of the European Union - world leaders from the likes of Iceland, Armenia, Azerbaijan will attend - as will the leaders of the UK, Canada and Ukraine.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will host them all at the Convention Centre in Dublin - with planning for the event having started over two years ago.

On the agenda is Europe's economy, hybrid attacks, AI and the future of the war in Ukraine.

In particular there's expected to be debate over who should represent Europe in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

But what does hosting these historic meetings mean for Ireland, and how prepared are we for the security challenges involved?

For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State, Timmy Dooley.

Image (c) Pat Flynn