We are not sure whether the visit of The President, Mary McAleese, to Egypt and Oman can be judged an untrammelled diplomatic success. One day she discusses peace processes - Northern Ireland and Middle East - with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The following day, Mubarak recalls his ambassador from Tel Aviv.
The day before she arrived in Oman, the Omanis declared a ban on Irish beef. We trust this act was not raised during her visit.