New Ambassadors present Credentials
Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Finland, Japan and Belgium presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
His Excellency, Mr. Seppo Kauppila, Ambassador of Finland to Ireland,
was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Anna-Liisa Kauppila and by Mr. Mika Koskinen, Counsellor, Embassy of Finland.
His Excellency, Mr. Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Hiroko Hayashi and by Mr. Torao Sato, Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of Japan.
His Excellency, Mr. Leopold Carrewyn, Ambassador of Belgium, was accompanied by his wife Ms. Laura Carrewyn-de Coster and by Ms. Mia Van Lil, First Secretary, Embassy of Belgium.
The following were also present at the ceremony: Mr. Tim O'Malley T.D.,
Minister of State at the Department of Health & Children; Mr. Brian McCarthy, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Dan Mulhall, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Kathleen White, Chief of Protocol, Mr. Joe Brennan, Deputy Chief of Protocol & Mr. Eoin Duggan, Assistant Chief of Protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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 Patrick Holohan.
The Guard of Honour at Áras an Uachtaráin was provided by the 5th Infantry Battalion, McKee Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Fergus Griffin.
The Army No. 1 Band was conducted by Commandant Mark Armstrong.
ENDS+++
Press Section
4th October, 2005
