THE US Embassy has refused to rule out reports that former president Bill Clinton could be next ambassador to Ireland.

A spokesman said the embassy did not comment on any diplomatic appointments, adding that the serving ambassador Dan Rooney had not announced his resignation.

The comments came after a US newspaper suggested that Mr Clinton, who is a regular visitor here, would be interested in the job.

The 'Chicago Sun-Times' suggested that Mr Clinton and his wife Hillary, the current US Secretary of State, could relax and wind down here before she embarks on a mooted run for the White House in 2016.

Nearly all serving ambassadors resign just before the new US president is inaugurated in January. Career diplomats are reappointed but others, like Dan Rooney, are diplomatic appointments and must be approved by the Senate.

Mr Rooney was named as ambassador to Ireland in 2009.

Earlier this year, his son told US media that his father planned to resign before the end of the year.

Irish Independent