merrion street

Mr Pat Rabbitte, T.D., Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources today announced appointments at Commissioner level at the telecommunications regulator, ComReg.

Mr Kevin O’Brien has been appointed as Commissioner for a four year period with effect from 1 November 2011. Mr O’Brien’s appointment was approved by the Minister following an open competition for the post conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), and following the retirement of John Doherty in December 2010.

Mr O’Brien has held a number of positions within the Civil Service, most recently as Principal Officer in the Energy area of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and also in the communications and broadcasting areas. Mr O’Brien also spent some time working in the Ministry of Economic Development in Wellington, New Zealand as a Policy Analyst.

The Minister also announced the reappointment of Mr Alex Chisholm as ComReg Commissioner for a period of 4 years with effect from 15 October 2011. Mr Chisholm will also continue to hold the role of Chairperson of ComReg until October 2012.

The changes at Commissioner level come at an important time in telecommunications and postal areas. The Minister noted that delivery of next generation broadband across Ireland is a key priority and an area in which ComReg will play a very significant role. He noted, in particular, the proposed spectrum auction to be administered by ComReg, will release valuable spectrum to the market for enhanced mobile and fixed wireless broadband services. ComReg will also play a key role in shaping the wholesale arrangements for next generation broadband services and the Commission is an observer on the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce.

Full postal liberalisation and implementation of the 3^rd EU Telecoms Reform package are also key ongoing challenges for ComReg.

"I would like to congratulate Mr Chisholm and Mr O’Brien on their appointments. I look forward to working with them and with ComReg generally to deliver on key policy priorities across the telecoms and postal sectors and in particular the accelerated roll-out of next generation broadband in Ireland" concluded Minister Rabbitte.