Former Fine Gael minister and EU commissioner Phil Hogan has applied to become Ireland's nominee to a €250,000 United Nations role based in Rome.
Mr Hogan is understood to be one of two Irish applicants for the UN global Food and Agriculture Organisation director general role.
Mr Hogan was once a significant figure in Irish politics but left his EU trade commissioner position in August 2020 due to the so-called Golfgate controversy, when he attended an outing held during a period of Covid-19 restrictions.
The opportunity to be Ireland's nominee was advertised earlier this month, with the application process closing on Friday 23 January.
Whoever is successful in receiving the Irish nomination will have to compete in a June 2027 vote among other international nominees, a process which is not clear cut.
In a statement, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said:
"The expressions of interest to participate in a selection process from which a candidate may be selected to be the Irish nominee for the position of director general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Rome is ongoing, therefore the Department cannot comment."
