Her Excellency, Mrs. Natalia Royo de Hagerman, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, and His Excellency, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
H.E. Mrs. Natalia Royo de Hagerman, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Santiago Hagerman, and Mr. Luis Pabón, Deputy Consul.
H.E. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was accompanied by Dr. To Minh Thu, Deputy Head of Mission.
Mr. Peter Burke, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with responsibility for Local Government and Planning represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Ms. Maeve Collins, Director-General, European Union Division, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt Brian Walsh, Comdt Deirdre Newell and Capt. Pól Ó Domhnaill, Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Gerald Angley, and Mr. Joe Brennan, Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Ambassadors were accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Colm Layton.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by 6 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Custume Barracks, Athlone, under the command of Lieutenant Jack McMahon.
Captain John Carpenter conducted the Army No. 1 Band, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
2nd Lieutenant Alex Cristea, from 6 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Custume Barracks, Athlone, was the flag officer.
