A change in relations, so far for the better, between Ireland and Britain as a result of recent developments in the North is not the reason, but there is currently in train an almost total turnover of the top personnel in the British embassy in Dublin. The ambassador herself, Dame Veronica Sutherland, is retiring next year after nearly 35 years' service with the Foreign Office and four years in Dublin. She is expected to be replaced by Ivor Roberts. He has been ambassador in Belgrade since 1994, so obviously he knows a thing or two about sectarianism and armed conflict.
Since the counsellor, Richard Clarke, left to become head of policy planning at the Foreign Office last June, his place was taken by Ted Hallett, who in turn left last weekend. The new number two, Denise Holt, arrives later this month. Holt is well-known in Dublin, having served here in the 1980s. She is so well-known, in fact, that Tanaiste, Mary Harney and media consultant, Mike Burns are godparents to her son Patrick, born here. In the interim she has been in Brasilia.
The defence attache, Dundalk-born Col Sean Lambe CBE, is retiring this month and is being replaced by Col John Wilson. First secretary, James Tansley is off to represent Britain in Oman, but not before he marries Irishwoman Blaithin Curran next month. His replacement is John Rankin. The press officer, Dougie Kerr, and his wife Sarah, are on their way to the British embassy in Lima, Peru and new man Andrew Pike is already in situ.