Mr John Doherty has been appointed chairman of the communications regulator, ComReg, with effect from next week. He succeeds Ms Etain Doyle.

Mr Doherty has been a ComReg commissioner since the office was set up in December 2002.

He has held several posts in the area of telecommunications regulation in recent years, including head of market operations in the ODTR (the forerunner of ComReg) and head of new business development in IDA Ireland.

He was also the IDA's director of the Asia-Pacific region from 1992 to 1997. He has worked extensively with IDA in Germany and the US.

From 1990 to 1992 he was director of the midlands region and was responsible for the promotion and development of companies of various size in this area.

Prior to joining IDA Mr Doherty worked in several management positions in the chemical and engineering sectors, in Ireland and internationally.

He is an economist with an MSc in Informatics (data processing) and a graduate diploma in business administration.

The chairperson is appointed for a one-year term. The other member of the ComReg commission is Ms Isolde Goggin. Mr Doherty's appointment was made by the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern.

During Mr Doherty's chairmanship several controversial issues are likely to arise, including: the introduction of flat-rate internet access packages; mobile number portability and the new regulatory framework for the communications industry.

The Minister said he looked forward to working with the ComReg team .