DUBLIN, 23 November 2012 – The deadline for registration of journalists to cover the 19th Ministerial Council in Dublin was extended until today, 23 November, Friday, midnight Dublin time (GMT).

The 19th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council will be held in Dublin on 6 and 7 December 2012.  The venue will be the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Simmonscourt Complex, located at Simmonscourt Road, Dublin 4. 

MEDIA CENTRE

The media will be provided with a fully equipped media centre at the RDS.  The entire venue will be a secure area, with access only possible with an accreditation badge.

The media centre will be open as follows:
Wednesday 5 December - 10.00hrs - 18.00hrs                                                                   
Thursday 6 December - 7.00hrs - 22.00hrs
Friday 7 December - 8.00hrs - 20.00hrs

There will be a Media Information Desk set up at the Press Centre to provide additional information and assistance. A Pool Desk where journalists can apply for pool cards to cover elements of the programme will also be available. All accredited journalists will be provided with a Press Pack which will include briefing material and background information on the Meeting. 

ACCREDITATION
Accreditation, on a self-registration basis, is open and can be made using the attached on-line form at https://media.osceministerial2012.ie/php/login.php. Badges will be available for collection at the accreditation offices in the Press Centre.  Details on this and other relevant points will be transmitted along with confirmation of accreditation requests. 

The deadline for registration is midnight, Friday 23 November. For security reasons it will not be possible to accredit any applicant once the deadline has passed.

*Media can collect their accreditation badge at the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, 80 St Stephen’s Green on Monday, 3 December, 2012, from 14:00 to 16:00.

POOLING
Logistical and security considerations require the implementation of media pool arrangements for the arrival of Ministers and for the family photo.  Further details of these will be provided prior to the Meeting.  Facilities will be in place so that all accredited journalists may avail of pool broadcasts, official photography and reporting.  It may not be possible to accommodate all requests. 


BROADCAST VEHICLES
All broadcast vehicles which are required for use on the secure site must be security-cleared in advance of being positioned at the media centre.  Security clearance will be carried out at a location close to the venue. Screening will be carried out between 1300hrs and 1800hrs on Tuesday 4th December and Wednesday 5th December.

For further enquiries about access for broadcast vehicles and to arrange a security screening, please contact Detective Inspector Michael J. Heffernan at Michael.J.Heffernan@garda.ie.


ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL
For those travelling from abroad, if you have not yet booked your accommodation within the security and transport zone, please do so by emailing your request to: OSCEMinisterial2012@conferencepartners.ie

A shuttle bus service will operate daily from the Burlington Hotel to the RDS from 5 to 7 December.

Ireland’s central tourism portal www.discoverireland.com is available to assist the media in making alternative travel and accommodation arrangements. 

Additional details will be circulated to accredited journalists.