Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Republic of Bulgaria, Belgium and India presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
H.E. Mr. Branimir Zaimov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, was accompanied by Mr. Rossen Genchev, Counsellor at the Embassy.
H.E. Mr. Philippe Roland, Ambassador of Belgium, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Laurence Roland, their two sons Charles-William and Quentin and their daughter Marie Laure and by Mrs. Agnes Scheers, Counsellor at the Embassy.
H.E. Mrs. Radhika Lal Lokesh, Ambassador of India, was accompanied by her daughter, Archana, and by Mr. P.K. Raghav, Counsellor at the Embassy.
Mr. Paschal Donohoe, T.D., Minister of State for European Affairs at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Mr. Adrian O’Neill, Secretary-General to the President; Mr. David Cooney, Secretary-General, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Joe Brennan, Ms. Marion O’Donnell and Ms. Emma Madigan, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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 Richard Piggott.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the Naval Service, Haulbowline, Co. Cork, under the command of Sub-Lieutenant Ashling Flynn.
Captain Fergal Carroll conducted the Army No. 1 Band.