Government approves the nomination of Ambassadors, 14 October 2025

On the recommendation of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Harris T.D., the Government today approved 18 Ambassadorial nominations. These appointments will take place during 2026, subject to agreement by the receiving States.

Commenting on the nominations, the Tánaiste said:

“I know that those nominated as Ambassadors will represent Ireland with great distinction as they work to support Irish citizens and to advance Ireland’s interests and values around the world.”

“The Government will continue to strengthen Ireland’s global presence and influence, deepening and expanding our network, building new partnerships and amplifying our voice in the world.”

All Ambassadorial level nominations are subject to the agreement of the receiving State and therefore in any reporting should be presented as nominations.

Ireland’s diplomatic network comprises 103 missions across the world. Since 2018, under the Global Ireland Strategy, 25 new missions have opened. During 2025, new Embassies were established in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova. During 2026, new Consulates General will open in Malaga and Melbourne.

With the nominations announced today, 53% of Ireland’s diplomatic missions across our global network will be led by women, including Washington DC, the EU, London, Berlin and Paris.

The Ambassadorial nominations approved by the Government today are as follows:

Ethiopia

Mr Ciarán Madden, currently Director in Ireland, UK and Americas Division, to be Ambassador to Ethiopia

Nigeria

Ms Lesley Ní Bhriain, currently Director in Corporate Services Division, to be Ambassador to Nigeria

Senegal

Ms Deirdre Clancy, currently Deputy Head of Mission in the Embassy of Ireland to Morocco, to be Ambassador to Senegal

Argentina

Ms Olive Hempenstall to be Ambassador to Argentina

Japan

Mr Noel White, currently Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, to be Ambassador to Japan.

Korea, Republic of

Mr Seán Hoy, currently Director in Corporate Services Division, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Korea

Singapore

Mr Damien Cole, currently Ambassador to Japan, to be Ambassador to Singapore

Thailand

Ms Nora Delaney, currently Director in Citizen Services Division, to be Ambassador to Thailand

France

Ms Alison Milton, currently Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, to be Ambassador to France

Holy See

Ms Karen Lynch, currently Deputy Director in Citizen Services Division, to be Ambassador to the Holy See

Poland

Mr Jonathan Conlon, currently Ambassador to Ukraine, to be Ambassador to Poland

United Kingdom

Ms Sonja Hyland, Deputy Secretary General, Ireland, UK and Americas Division, to be Ambassador to the United Kingdom

United Arab Emirates

Mr Fergal Mythen, currently Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, to be Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

Iran

Mr Aidan Cronin, currently Director in Ireland, UK and Americas Division, to be Ambassador to Iran

Jordan

Ms Nicole McHugh, currently Director in Development Cooperation and Africa Division, to be Ambassador to Jordan

Saudi Arabia

Mr Micheál Smith, currently Consul General in San Francisco, to be Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Permanent Mission to the United Nations Geneva

Mr Laurence Simms, currently Joint Secretary, British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat, to be Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva

Permanent Mission to the United Nations New York

Mr Martin Fraser, currently Ambassador to the UK, to be Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York

Mr John Forde, currently Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy to the United Arab Emirates, to be Consul General in Austin

Mr Peter Neary, currently Deputy Director in Political Division, to be Consul General in Frankfurt

Ms Paula Molloy, currently Deputy Director in Corporate Services Division, to be Consul General in Miami

Ms Marianne Bolger, currently Ambassador to Jordan, to be Consul General in San Francisco

Mr Gerry Kelly, currently Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy to the Russian Federation, to be Consul General in Vancouver