New Ambassadors present Credentials

Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Switzerland and the Republic of Belarus presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.

His Excellency, Mr. Josef Doswald, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ireland, was accompanied by Mr. Ernst Balzli, Counsellor at the Embassy of Switzerland.

His Excellency, Dr. Alyaksei Mazhukhou, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Liudmila Mazhukhova, and by Dr. Zoya Kolontai, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus.

The following also attended the ceremony: Mr. Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister of State  at the Department of  Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Ronan Murphy, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Brian McCarthy, Secretary General  to the President;  Mr. Joe Brennan, Deputy Chief of Protocol and Mr. Gerry Kelly, 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 Laura Keane.

The Guard of Honour at Áras an Uachtaráin was provided by the Cadet School, Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh, Co. Kildare, under the command of Lieutenant Michael Nestor.

The Band of the Defence Forces School of Music was conducted by Commandant Mark Armstrong.