His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Sarwat Selim, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency, Mr. Juris Štālmeistars, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia and His Excellency, Mr. Lars Thuesen, Ambassador of Denmark presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
His Excellency, Mr. Mohamed Sarwat Selim, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Nada Abaza, and Mrs Nazly El Fayoumy, Deputy Head of Mission.
His Excellency, Mr. Juris Štālmeistars, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia was accompanied by his wife Mrs Zane Ampermane, and daughters Dora Elma Štālmeistare and Grēta Anna Štālmeistare;
His Excellency Mr. Lars Thuesen, Ambassador of Denmark was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Jeanine Arreguin Ayerdi, and Mr. Nikolaj Mølsted Andersen, Deputy Head of Mission;
Mr. Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Trade Promotion, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. John Conlan, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt. Brian Walsh, Comdt. Deirdre Newell, Capt. Pól Ó Domhnaill, Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Paul Kavanagh, Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms. Cathy Barnicle, Protocol, 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 Tadhg Campbell.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 1st Infantry Battalion, Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore Galway under the command of Lieutenant Lee Grant.
Second Lieutenant Donal Staunton from the the 1st Infantry Battalion, Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore Galway, was the flag officer.
Captain Tom Kelly conducted Band 2 Brigade which is based in Custume Barracks, Athlone.
