MRS Robinson may be heading for a top job at the UN but she would be considered too old to work as a clerk/typist with Dublin Corporation.
She will be 53 in May, so when she retires she will be three years over the age limit for the corporation job advertised in yesterday's newspapers.
Should she cast her eye southwards and fancy herself as a temporary clerk of works with Cork Corporation she would find that, alas, she is too old for that job as well.
So she might decide to have a go at the private sector. South of Ireland Petroleum Co is looking for an additional sales person, "self-motivated, and willing to operate within a minimum of supervision," both qualities which our President possesses, as the Government could confirm, and, of course, she has had experience of selling Ireland abroad.
Unfortunately the ad states that the candidate "will ideally be aged 20-35 years," so that's that.
If she turns to the European Commission for work she will have to choose carefully. Upper age limits there, according to figures supplied by Age & Opportunity, are usually of the order of 40 to 45.
Clearly, one cannot have 53-year-olds carrying out onerous tasks for the Commission unless, that is, she goes for a really top job like Commissioner. The rules don't apply to those who make them.
She would also, says Age & Opportunity, be considered too old for jobs in the Defence Forces, the Garda and the emergency services, and for most public service posts.
"President Robinson exemplifies the skills and experience of people over the age of 50," says Age & Opportunity which is a non-governmental body attempting to change attitudes towards ageing.
"Although it is unlikely that her age will be a negative factor in President Robinson's next employment, unfortunately many people in this age group find that they are unacceptable to employers because of their age.
"Age discrimination makes neither social nor economic sense," it adds.
Attempts to establish whether there are minimum ages for applying for jobs at the United Nations failed. This reporter spoke to a number of computers and to two human beings, who told him to ask the International Labour Organisation.
A spokeswoman for the ILO seemed baffled by the idea of a minimum age. She joined the ILO at over 45, she said, and people joined in their 50s.
She did not know about age limits at the UN and thought that perhaps it would be best to ask the UN itself.
However, at 47 years of age this reporter did not feel up to making any more phone calls and there the matter rests.