IRISH RESPONSE TO DAVID WALKER'S IAAC CANDIDACY

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000825 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/MPR/SC - BRIAN HACKETT DEPARTMENT FOR USUN - MR: BRUCE RASHKOW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL UNGA UNGA EI SUBJECT: IRISH RESPONSE TO DAVID WALKER'S IAAC CANDIDACY REF: A. STATE 149678 ¶B. STATE 146857 ¶1. (U) POLOFF met with Department of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for Europe and UN Coordination, Emma Madigan, on October 30. In response to the request to support David Walker in the UN Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC), Madigan said that Ireland was aware of the qualifications of each candidate and was happy to receive additional information about Walker. She acknowledged that Walker was very qualified, but noted that Ireland also needed to consider the qualifications of the Spanish and Swiss candidates. Madigan regretted that she could not provide a final decision, but promised that Walker would receive careful consideration. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Madigan gave no hint as to what direction Ireland would lean. However, unless the Spanish candidate is clearly less qualified than Walker, it is doubtful that Ireland will vote against the candidate of a fellow European Union member state. End comment. PIERCE