The US Senate has formally approved the appointment of Mr Mike Sullivan as the new American ambassador to Ireland. He was approved with a list of other new ambassadors by a consensus procedure.
Mr Sullivan, who was the governor of Wyoming from 1987 to 1995, is likely to be sworn in by the middle of November and should arrive in Dublin soon afterwards. He is making a successful recovery from heart surgery. Mr Sullivan (59) is married to Ms Jane Metzler and they have three grown-up children.
He graduated from the University of Wyoming with science and law degrees in the 1960s and practised law. He is a friend and confidant of President Clinton.