The Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte T.D., today announced that Mr John O’Connor, had agreed to accept the role of Chairman of Eirgrid.

Minister Rabbitte said, “The Government this morning agreed to appoint Mr O’Connor, the former Chairman of an Bord Pleanala to chair the Board of Eirgrid, Ireland’s electricity transmission systems operator. I am sure that Mr O’Connor, who has a wealth of experience in public sector leadership and management including serving on and supervising state boards, will play an important role in guiding Eirgrid in terms of the management and development of the energy network which is so essential to economic and social development.”

Prior to joining An Bord Pleanala as Chairman where he served for eleven years until his retirement in 2011, John O’Connor held a number of senior level positions in the Department of Environment including Finance Officer, Principal Housing Policy Division, and Assistant Secretary over the Water & Planning Division. He is also currently serving as Chairman of the Pyrite Resolution Board.

Mr O’Connor will be invited to attend before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications before his appointment is formalised.