New Ambassadors present Credentials

Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Panama, presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.

H.E. Mr. Paul Schellekens, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Maureen Schellekens-van Rijk, and by Mr. Fred Duijn, Deputy Head of Mission.

H.E. Mr. G.R. Malik, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Asmat Rasool Malik, their daughter, Sarah, and by Mr. Ahmad Hussain Dayo, Deputy Head of Mission.

H.E. Ms. Ana Irene Delgado, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, is resident in London.

Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, represented the Government at the ceremony.

The following were also present:   Mr. Loughlin Quinn, Deputy Secretary-General to the President; Ms. Anne Barrington, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Chief of Protocol, Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms. Marion O’Donnell, 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. 

The Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by troops drawn from the 12^th Infantry Battalion, Limerick, under the command of Lieutenant Carmel Connaughton.

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