His Excellency, Mr. Trevor Mallard, Ambassador of New Zealand presents credentials

His Excellency, Mr. Trevor Mallard, Ambassador of New Zealand presented his Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today and was accompanied by his spouse, Ms. Jane Clifton, grandchildren, Lucy Mallard, Patrick Mallard, Anna Mallard and Mr. Ernest Stokes, Second Secretary.

Mr. Neale Richmond T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Business; and the Department of Social Protection, represented the Government at the ceremony.

The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Colm Ó Floinn, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Paul Kavanagh, Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt. Brian Walsh, Capt Austin Doyle and Comdt. Deirdre Newel, Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms. Louisa Heneghan, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador was accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Tadhg Campbell.

A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 12th Infantry Battalion, Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick under the command of Lieutenant Caelen Murphy.

Lieutenant Mark McGirr from the 12th Infantry Battalion was the flag officer.

Captain Ben Jacob conducted the Army No 1 Band which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.