Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has congratulated Dr. Fernando Lugo on his recent election to the presidency of Paraguay. [16832/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, H.E. Fernando Lugo, the presidential candidate of the multi-party coalition Patriotic Alliance for Change, was elected in the Paraguayan presidential elections on 21 April. President-elect Lugo will be inaugurated on 15 August.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2001, Ireland has enjoyed friendly relations with Paraguay. However, while I of course wish President-elect Lugo every success during his term in office, the accepted protocol in such circumstances is for congratulations to be issued to an incoming President by the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, and this will be taken forward closer to the inauguration of Dr Lugo.