Ambassadors present credentials
The following Ambassadors presented their credentials to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today:
His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Agim Besim Fagu
His Excellency the Ambassador of New Zealand, Mr. Paul Clayton East QC
The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr. Martin Cullen, T.D. was present at the ceremony.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Albania was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Pranvera Fagu and by Dr. Vangjel Dheri, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Albania.
The Ambassador of New Zealand was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Marilyn East and by Ms Gabrielle Rush, Second Secretary, Embassy of New Zealand.
Also present were Mr. Brian McCarthy, Secretary to the President; Mr. Pádraic Mac Kernan, Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs; Ms Clare O'Flaherty, Deputy Chief of Protocol and Mr. Joseph Brennan, Deputy Chief of Protocol, 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 Second Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Éadaoín McNamara. A Guard of Honour was provided by the Third Infantry Battalion, Stephens' Barracks, Kilkenny under the command of Lieutenant Fergal Purcell.
The Army Number One Band was conducted by Commandant Joseph Ryan.
