Nine new ambassadors have been named by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen:
The head of the Department's development wing, Mr David Donoghue, becomes ambassador to Austria, switching places with Mr Ronan Murphy, who takes over as director of Development Co-operation.
Mr Declan Connolly, the Beijing envoy, becomes ambassador to Slovakia, replacing Mr Thomas Lyons who retires shortly.
The ambassador to the EU's Political and Security Committee, Mr Declan Kelleher, becomes ambassador to China.
Mr Paul Kavanagh replaces Mr Kelleher in Brussels.
The ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr Conor Murphy, becomes ambassador to Korea, replacing Mr Paul Murray, who returns to serve at headquarters. The new ambassador to Saudi Arabia is Mr Tom Russell, currently in the embassy in Washington.
Mr Kieran Dowling becomes ambassador to India, replacing Mr Philip McDonagh, who becomes ambassador to the Holy See in succession to Mr Bernard Davenport, who retires shortly.
Mr Kenneth Thompson becomes ambassador to Argentina, replacing Ms Paula Slattery, who returns to serve at headquarters.