US ambassador - Post must be filled

The absence of a US ambassador to Ireland since last December has been bitterly criticised by leaders of the Irish-American community who supported President Barack Obama and now feel betrayed.

“In my opinion it is an absolute disgrace and a real and total disrespect to the Irish American community,” Brian O’Dwyer, a prominent New York lawyer, told the Irish Central website. He is head of the Emerald Isle Immigration Centre and a long-time Democratic party activist. While acknowledging that President Obama has had his hands full with domestic matters of late, it is hard to disagree with these sentiments.

Perhaps the Taoiseach and Tánaiste should put some pressure on their American counterparts and press the urgency of filling that what has been traditionally viewed as a very important post — for both countries.