Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Norway, Australia and the Kingdom of Sweden presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
H.E. Ms. Else Berit Eikeland, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, was accompanied by Mr. Sølve Steinhovden, Deputy Head of Mission.
H.E. Mr. Richard Andrews, Ambassador of Australia, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Saovanee Andrews, and by Mr. Simon Mamouney, Deputy Head of Mission.
H.E. Ms. Anna Brandt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, travelled from Stockholm for today’s ceremony.
Mr. David Stanton, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Mr. Art O’Leary, Secretary-General to the President; Col. Michael Kiernan, Aide-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Barrie Robinson, Political Director at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Síle Maguire, Chief of Protocol, Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms Claire Buckley, 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 Second Lieutenant David Kelly.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the Naval Service, Haulbowline, Co. Cork, under the command of Lieutenant Niall McCarthy.
Captain Fergal Carroll conducted the Army No. 1 Band, Cathal Brugha Barracks.