The new Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Sultan Mohamed Majed Al Ali, the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Petr Kynstetr, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Tran Ngoc An, will present their Letters of Credence on Tuesday 13 March.
Last year, 33 foreign Ambassadors presented their Credentials - the official documents identifying the new Ambassadors as official representatives of their head of State - to President Higgins.
Upon their arrival in Ireland, and before they can carry out their duties, new ambassadors must be officially welcomed by the President of Ireland. Ambassadors are officially accredited to Ireland from the moment that the President accepts their Credentials.
The Ceremony of Presentation of the Letters of Credence takes place in the State Reception Room at Áras an Uachtaráin. After the ceremony, the President invites the new Ambassador to a private meeting, after which military honours are rendered outside the Áras.
At the ceremony on 13 March, Minister Pat Breen T.D, Minister for State with special responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection represented the Government at the ceremony. The following were also present: Mr. Art O’Leary, Secretary-General to the President; Col. Liam Condon, Aide-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Austin Gormley, Assistant Secretary – Corporate Services Division 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 accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2 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 Infantry Battalion, Renmore Barracks, Galway under the command of Second Lieutenant Cathal McSweeney.
Captain Fergal Carroll conducted the Army No. 1 Band, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
