The British embassy in Dublin has appointed Ms Denise Holt as second in command to the British ambassador, Ms Veronica Sutherland. Ms Holt, a career diplomat since joining the Foreign Office in 1970, will be deputy head of the embassy.
Ms Holt's appointment coincides with instructions by the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, that his officials come up with proposals to enable more women with children to take up top diplomatic jobs.
