The new Fingal county manager is expected to be architect David O'Connor. If confirmed by Fingal County Council at its November meeting, he will become the first architect in the history of the State to hold such a post.
Mr O'Connor, whose appointment has been recommended by an Department of the Environment interview board, has been director of planning in Fingal for the past three years. Prior to that, he was county architect since 1995.
It is understood that he beat three currently serving senior managers for the post - Waterford city manager Conn Murray, North Tipperary county manager Terry Ó Niadh and Dublin assistant city manager Brendan Kenny.
Mr O'Connor impressed the interview board with his strategy for Fingal over the next 10 years, including major development in Swords to support the proposed Metro north line linking it with St Stephen's Green, via Dublin airport.
"It's one hell of a prize, especially being the first architect ever to be nominated for a county manager post", he told The Irish Times. However, he stressed that his nomination must be ratified first by Fingal county councillors.
Mr O'Connor succeeds John Tierney, who has recently taken over as Dublin city manager.