U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney will stay in Ireland ‘probably another year’ he told a Pittsburgh newspaper this week.

Rooney was a key campaigner for Barack Obama's election in 2008. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asked him if he would be campaigning for him again in 2012.

"Maybe," he replied, then quickly stated, "I'm not allowed to say that nor is he."

Rooney had surgery on his back recently and is currently on a two week stay in the Pittsburgh area.

The highlight of his stay in Ireland was the visit by Obama on his recent European tour.

Obama and wife Michelle dined privately with Rooney and his wife Patricia on that visit.

Rooney was a key supporter back in 2008, when he sided with Obama in the key state of Pennsylvania.

His ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers had made him a key figure in the state.