For the first year in some time there has been no great spring reshuffle in the Department of Foreign Affairs, so the Iveagh House mandarins are anticipating greater moves in 12 months' time. The arrival of new minister Brian Cowen is one reason for the absence of the annual package.
There is one ambassadorial retirement due, Geraldine Skinner in Luxembourg, but apart from that London is staying put, although there is speculation that Ted Barrington plans to take sabbatical leave once the North cools down. Patrick O'Connor will stay in Paris as France now takes over the EU Presidency and the Perm Rep to the EU, Denis O'Leary, must stay on in Brussels to monitor the progress of the IGC. All these ambassadors are due for moves - as is Declan O'Donovan in Tokyo - on the basis of having served four years.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey Keating, who is opening up our new consulate in Shanghai, will be joined this week by third secretary Dearbhla Doyle who has been in Iveagh House only a year. Michael Gaffey leaves London for Tokyo and will be replaced by Vincent Herlihy from the Perm Rep in Brussels.