The Minister for the Environment will host an informal meeting of EU environment ministers in his home town of Waterford this weekend.
Talks will take place on a range of policy issues, including the prevention and recycling of waste.
Following the council meeting tomorrow, the ministers will have lunch in Dunmore East and will later tour the Waterford Glass factory.
The South East Social Forum (SESF) said it plans to hold an "alternative" environmental summit and demonstration, under the theme People and Planet Before Profit: Another Europe is Possible,to coincide with the meeting in Waterford.
Global climate change, genetically modified organisms, waste solutions and the marine environment, and Irish neutrality are among the issues that will be discussed at the three-day event.
Speakers at the opening meeting of the alternative summit tonight will include the Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna, Ms Jean Somers of the Debt and Development Coalition and Dr Paul Connet, an incineration expert.
Organisations represented at this weekend's events include Sustainable Ireland, ATGWU, FEASTA, Irish Anti-War Movement, Zero Waste, SIPTU, Coastwatch Europe, Waste Study Group, AFRI, GM Free Ireland, Busworkers' Action Group, Irish Doctors' Environmental Association, Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, DAPSE, Stop Esso Ireland, Down to Zero, and Another Europe is Possible.
A demonstration will take place tomorrow afternoon. The SESF said the protest and weekend event was for those who wished to express discontent at the policies of the Government and the EU.