Conflicting signals are being given about the likelihood of the Education Secretary, Mr Richard Riley, becoming the next US ambassador to Ireland when Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith stands down.
Mr Riley has been mentioned as the favourite for the post since Mrs Kennedy Smith announced last March that she was leaving this summer after five years. But he has indicated that he does not envisage leaving his cabinet post dealing with education, one of President Clinton's priorities.
Yesterday Mr Riley's press spokeswoman, Ms Julie Green, told The Irish Times that he had not discussed the ambassador post with President Clinton and "has no plans to leave here".
The reports about Mr Riley going to the Dublin embassy were given new impetus yesterday by the publication of an interview with the Boston Globe in which he said: "I think anybody who loves Ireland, if other things permitted, would cherish the opportunity of going to the Phoenix Park. And I am among those average Irish folks who would put that as a great opportunity. And it's an exciting time in Ireland."
The article quotes a senior adviser as saying, "They are trying to clear the decks for him. These things are always complicated."
Mr Riley is a former lawyer and governor of South Carolina who has become a close confidant of President Clinton as a leading member of his cabinet.
Observers say the President would be reluctant to lose Mr Riley at a time when his education agenda is a top priority, and when he needs extra support in face of the pressures from the Whitewater and Monica Lewinsky investigations.
Other names mentioned for the Dublin post include Mr Mark Gearan, head of the Peace Corps; Mr Paul Quinn, a Washington lawyer involved in Northern Ireland affairs for a long time; former labour union leader, Mr Tom Donahue; Mr Kevin O'Keefe, a Chicago lawyer and friend of Mrs Hillary Clinton; and a former governor of Wyoming, Mr Mike Sullivan.