His Excellency, Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan, and Her Excellency, Fiona-Jayne Formosa, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
His Excellency, Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan, was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and Mr. Norimasa Yoshida, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan.
Her Excellency, Fiona-Jayne Formosa, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta was accompanied by her sister Ms. Michelle Thomson.
Mr. Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., Minister Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will attend to represent the Government.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’ Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. John Conlan, Deputy Secretary General, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Eamonn McKee, Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt. Brian Walsh, Capt. Austin Doyle and Capt. Pol O’Donnell, Aides-de-Camp to the President; and Mr. Joe Brennan, 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 Brian O’Keefe.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin under the command of Lieutenant Ben Reilly.
Lieutenant Kieran Kilbane from the the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin was the flag officer.
Captain Tom Kelly conducted the No. 1 Army Band, which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
