The Cabinet has approved the appointment of a non-resident ambassador to Ireland by the government of Burma, also known as Myanmar.
Kyaw Myo Htut, who is based in London as Burmese ambassador to Britain, will present his credentials to President Michael D Higgins. His appointment marks the opening of diplomatic relations at ambassador level between Ireland and Burma as it opens up after almost 50 years of military rule.
It follows the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest. She entered parliament last year. Thousands of people turned up to welcome her to Dublin last June. During her half-day visit to the capital, Ms Suu Kyi signed the Roll of Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin in Grand Canal Square.
