TOP-level changes at the Department of Foreign Affairs, which were expected to be discussed by Cabinet yesterday, have been deferred for at least a week.
A package of changes was expected to be brought to Government yesterday by the Tanaiste, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring.
The key element of the proposals involves the appointment of Mr Sean O hUiginn, the Second Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs, as ambassador to Washington.
It is also expected that the present Ambassador, Mr Dermot Gallagher, will return to Dublin to take up the position held by Mr O hUiginn as head of the Anglo-Irish section in the Department. Neither diplomat will take up his new role until July.
Meanwhile, the Tanaiste is also expected to seek approval for a number of other diplomatic changes. These include filling the vacancies of ambassador to Greece and Denmark.
