IRISH AMBASSADOR TO the US Geraldine Byrne Nason is to stay on in her role. 

Cabinet today signed off on the appointment of a number of Irish ambassadors, including Byrne Nason staying in her position. 

The view at government level is that given the precarious nature of US politics under the Trump administration, Byrne Nason, who has been in the role since 2022, is best placed to navigate choppy diplomatic waters that might be ahead. 

Senior sources have said that over the years, Byrne Nason has built up good relationships with both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill.

They said to change her out now could put diplomatic relations on the backfoot.

Prior to coming to Washington DC, Byrne Nason, who is from Drogheda, spent five years as Ireland’s Ambassador to the United Nations. 

Last month, the ambassador opened up a new Irish embassy in Washington DC, which is just a stone’s throw from the White House. 

US President Donald Trump wrote a letter welcoming the opening of the new embassy, stating in the correspondence: “Welcome to the neighbourhood.” 

The government today approved 18 ambassadorial nominations, which also included moving the Irish ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, to the the position of Permanent Mission to the United Nations New York. 

Fraser, who was formerly the country’s top civil servant in the Department of An Taoiseach, will take up the position in the UN next year. 

Sonja Hyland, who is the current Deputy Secretary General in the Ireland, UK and Americas Division, will replace Fraser in becoming the new Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

“I know that those nominated as Ambassadors will represent Ireland with great distinction as they work to support Irish citizens and to advance Ireland’s interests and values around the world,” Tánaiste Simon Harris said today. 

“The government will continue to strengthen Ireland’s global presence and influence, deepening and expanding our network, building new partnerships and amplifying our voice in the world,” he added.