The long delay by President Bush in nominating a new US ambassador to Dublin to succeed Mr Richard Egan is being seen in Ireland as a "slight", according to two senior Democratic Senators.
In a letter to US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell, Senators Edward Kennedy and Christropher Dodd point out that no one has been nominated for the post in the almost six months since Mr Egan resigned in December.
The immediate nomination of a new US ambassador had become more urgent for the Northern Ireland peace process, given the plans of US special envoy Mr Richard Haas to leave government service, they said.
Mr James Kenny, head of a Chicago construction company that specialises in tunnels and transportation, has reportedly been in line for the post for some months, but has yet to be formally nominated.
Like the outgoing ambassador, Mr Kenny is a major fund-raiser for the Republican Party and was the Bush Illinois finance chairman in 2000. He declined to speak to The Irish Times yesterday.
In their letter, Senators Kennedy and Dodd asked the Department of State to move on a nominee as soon as possible, and expressed concern that the important post had been left open for so long.
"Unfortunately, we have begun to hear reports the people of Ireland feel slighted by the delay in the selection of the new ambassador to Ireland.
"As you know so well, Ireland has always been one of America's closest allies. The ties between our two countries continue to be strong, and the active presence of a US Ambassador in Dublin is an indispensable symbol and essential part of this relationship."
Since his return to the US, Mr Egan has resumed his fund-raising activities for Mr Bush.