The President, Mrs Robinson, will discuss her new job as High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York on Thursday with UN Secretary General Kofi (which means Tuesday in Ghanian) Annan. He wants her in place by September 16th for the new session of the General Assembly, which means resigning from office two months early. It has been done before - remember Cearbhall O Dalaigh. Contrary to some belief, she needs permission from no one to quit the job.
During an interregnum her duties as Head of State will be performed by a triumvirate of the Chief Justice Liam Hamilton, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dail Seamus Pattison and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Liam Cosgrave, or their deputies. A Presidential election will have to be held within 60 days - which means November, when it was due to be held anyway.