Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of Belgium and the Portuguese Republic presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
- H.E. Mr. Yury Filatov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Nikolay Ivanov.
- H.E. Mr.Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Joëlle De Bauw, and the Deputy Head of Mission, Ms. Bernadette Scheid.
- H.E. Mr. Miguel de Almeida e Sousa, Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic, was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Rogério Lopes.
Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora and International Development, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Mr. Conor Ó Raghallaigh, Depury Secretary-General to the President; Col. Michael Kiernan, Aide-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Eamonn McKee, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Feilim McLaughlin, Mr. Joe Brennan 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 Second Lieutenant Jason Nugent. A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 1 Armoured Cavalry Squadron, Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare under the command of Lieutenant Cathal Sweeney. Captain Fergal Carroll conducted the Army No. 1 Band, Cathal Bruagh Barracks, Dublin.
