Mary Robinson announced that she would retire from her office as President of Ireland on 12 September.
Mary Robinson was elected Ireland's first female president in 1990 and had almost completed her seven-year term.
The announcement was made at a press conference held by Mary Robinson and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Mary Robinson is to take up a new role as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and is welcomed on board by Kofi Annan.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 July 1997. The reporter is Charlie Bird.
