merrion street

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, T.D., has announced his intention to appoint Gerry Fahy and Jeremy Godfrey as Commissioners of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) , following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service. Mr Fahy and Mr Godfrey will join existing Commissioner, Kevin O’Brien, bringing the Commission to its full complement of three Commissioners. Minister Rabbitte noted that the two successful candidates have considerable experience in the telecommunications sector, and will bring distinctive if different backgrounds to the important work of communications and postal regulation.

Jeremy Godfrey has almost thirty years’ experience in telecommunications, IT and public policy. He was the Government Chief Information Officer in Hong Kong from 2008 to 2011. He has been a partner in PA Consulting Group, has held senior roles in Hongkong Telecom and the Cable & Wireless Group, and has worked for the UK Department of Trade and Industry and as an independent consultant.

Gerry Fahy has worked in the Irish telecommunications industry since 1980, holding senior positions with eircom, Eircell, Vodafone, and most recently as a telecommunications consultant. He was Chairman of the Telecommunications Industry Federation of IBEC for five years.

Minister Rabbitte said “These appointments are being made at a critical time in the development of Ireland and Europe’s telecommunications market. Following the publication of the National Broadband Plan, ComReg’s €855m multi-band spectrum auction last year, and its decision on next generation access arrangements, the sector is now going through a new and intense period of investment in Ireland. This includes significant investment in high speed mobile and fixed line broadband services, which are critical to Ireland’s economic and social infrastructure. The postal sector is also facing significant challenges and ComReg have an important regulatory role to discharge in this regard”.

“I wish Mr Godfrey and Mr Fahy well in their new roles”, Minister Rabbitte said.