The Government yesterday appointed Mr Daithi O Ceallaigh as Second Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs in charge of the Anglo-Irish division.
He replaces Mr Dermot Gallagher, who has been appointed Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach.
Mr O Ceallaigh was Assistant Secretary and Head of the Administration Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and has served in Moscow, London, New York and Finland.