President Michael D Higgins is to undergo surgery in Galway tomorrow to repair a knee injury he sustained last year.
Mr Higgins (70) will fulfil a number of engagements in Dublin today before travelling to Galway for surgery at the Bon Secours Hospital.
The operation is related to an injury Mr Higgins sustained when he slipped on wet tiles during an aid agency trip to Colombia.
Mr Higgins will return to Dublin early next week to spend Christmas with his family at Áras an Uachtaráin.