In an article on forthcoming changes in the Roman curia, the respected La Repubblica paper reports that Dr Martin’s is "among the stronger candidacies" to take over as president of the pontifical council for justice and peace.

The council is currently headed by Cardinal Renato Martino.

La Repubblica’s Vatican- watcher Orazio La Rocca reports that Cardinal Martino is working closely with Pope Benedict on the pontiff’s forthcoming social encyclical but is expected to be replaced soon after the publication of Benedict’s much-anticipated third encyclical which could be published as early as May 1.

However, even if he is successful and gets the prestigious appointment, he may not be in a position to leave Dublin before the summer if the Dublin Report is not released.

Responding to a request for a comment on the speculation, a spokeswoman for the Archbishop said: "Archbishop Martin has a challenging task as archbishop of Dublin which he enjoys. He has no expectation of that situation changing. Indeed, Archbishop Martin is embarking on wide-ranging programme of renewal and development in the archdiocese."