New Ambassadors present Credentials-Tuesday 2nd September, 2008.

Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Spain, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Belgium presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtárain today

H.E. Ms. Mercedes Rico, Ambassador of Spain was accompanied by

Mr. Ildefonso Castro, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain.

H.E. Mr. Robert J.H. Engels, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands  was accompanied by Ms. Kanta Adhin, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

H.E. Mr. Tomáš Kafka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic was accompanied by Mr. Josef Smycek, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Czech Republic.

H.E. Mr. Robert Devriese, Ambassador of Belgium was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Lieve Devriese, his daughters Ms. An Devriese and Ms. Catherine Devriese and Mr. Siegfried Peinen, Counsellor at the Embassy of Belgium.

The following were also present at the ceremony: Mr. Dick Roche, T.D. Minister for European Affairs; Mr. Tim O’Connor, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Dermot Gallagher, Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Kathleen White, Chief of Protocol; Mr. Joe Brennan, Deputy Chief of Protocol; Mr. Kieran Dowling, Deputy Chief of Protocol and Ms. Marion O’Donnell, Assistant Chief of Protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassadors were escorted to and from the Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2^nd Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, under the command of 2^nd Lieutenant Thomas Tooher.

The Guard of Honour at Áras an Uachtaráin was provided by the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp under the command of Lieutenant Amy Colclough.

The Army No. 1 Band was conducted by Lieutenant Fergal Carroll.

2^nd September 2008

ENDS