Barack Obama’s decision to consider whether a special US envoy to Northern Ireland was still necessary puts progress in the North “at risk”, his Republican rival John McCain’s campaign has said.
Mr McCain said the move showed the Democrat's "total lack of experience and profoundly poor judgment on matters of foreign policy" and was further evidence that the Illinois senator was "simply not ready to lead".
Mr Obama said he would review whether an envoy or senior administration official would be most effective 10 years after the Good Friday peace agreement enshrined political power-sharing in the North.
Brian Rogers, a spokesman for the McCain campaign, said: "The special US envoy was first appointed by President Clinton and has been critical to fostering peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
"John McCain is committed to maintaining the special US envoy for Northern Ireland and that commitment has been enshrined in the 2008 Republican Platform.
"That Senator Obama would be willing to toss aside one of the signature diplomatic accomplishments of the Clinton administration and put the progress in Northern Ireland at risk is only further evidence that he is simply not ready to lead."
SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell has said he was confident Northern Ireland would still have influence in a Democratic White House.
A statement on behalf of Mr Obama earlier this week said: "Barack Obama understands that US attention and support will be required to solidify the peace.
"But he also recognises that the crisis period for Northern Ireland has passed and that the people of Northern Ireland are now in charge of their own destiny.
"As president, Barack Obama will personally engage on Irish issues whenever necessary."
George W Bush's administration has used a series of special envoys over the years including current incumbent Paula Dobriansky.
Meanwhile, the Clinton administration was praised for its choice of envoys which included Senator George Mitchell who is credited with helping break the political deadlock and establishing principles of non-violence characterising Northern Ireland politics.
Falmouth Kearney, Mr Obama's great-great-grandfather, emigrated to America from Ireland. He left Moneygall, County Offaly, on a ship called Marmion.
Mr Obama's running mate Joe Biden also has an Irish-American background.
Mr Obama's statement was issued through the non-partisan US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit body dedicated to cementing transatlantic relations.
It said: "Barack Obama will continue the tradition of welcoming the Taoiseach to the White House on St Patrick's Day, and he intends to visit Ireland as president."
In April Mr Obama reiterated his call for the devolution of justice and policing and noted the need for reconciliation so that Northern Ireland's people could live together as neighbours instead of being segregated by peace walls.
He recognised that the Bush Administration continued to support the peace process, endorsing a US investment conference aimed at attracting businesses to Northern Ireland.
PA