Their Excellencies, the Apostolic Nuncio, the Ambassadors of France, the Republic of Malta and the Republic of Latvia presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
* H.E. Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, the Very Reverend Mgr Piotr Tarnawski.
* H.E. Mr. Stéphane Crouzat, Ambassador of France, was accompanied by his spouse Ms. Jennifer Zeitlin, his daughter Ms. Zoe Crouzat and the Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Lionel Paradisi-Coulouma.
* H.E Mr. Leonard Sacco, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta was accompanied by his spouse, Ms. Theresa Sacco, his daughter, Charlotte Moore, his son, Terence Sacco and by the First Secretary at the Embassy, Mr Karl Matthew Xuereb.
* H.E. Mr. Jānis Sīlis, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, was accompanied by Head of Consular Section at the Embassy, Mrs. Nora Redliha.
Ms. Mary Mitchell O’Connor, T.D., Minister of State for Higher Education, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Mr. Art O’Leary, Secretary-General to the President; Col. Michael Kiernan, Aide-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Niall Burgess, Secretary General in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Feilim McLaughlin, Mr. Joe Brennan, Mr. Patrick O’Reilly and Ms. Claire Buckley, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Ambassadors were escorted to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Karl Dempsey. 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 Catherine Smyth. Captain Tom Kelly conducted the Army No. 2 Brigade Band, Custume Bks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
