President Michael D Higgins is to undergo surgery next week to relieve back pain, his office has said.
It said the procedure has been "planned for some time" and the 82-year-old will undergo a short rehabilitation programme following the operation.
President Higgins will continue to carry out his duties at Áras an Uachtaráin and his home in Galway once he is discharged from hospital.
In a statement this afternoon, his office said: "The procedure the President will undergo has been planned for some time, ahead of a busy autumn schedule, including a number of planned engagements overseas, and following the completion of a substantial programme over the first half of the year.
"It is anticipated that the President will carry out a reduced number of public engagements over the remaining weeks of the summer while he completes a short rehabilitation programme, during which time he will be preparing speeches for the autumn engagements and continuing to fulfil his constitutional duties."
