Dublin Docklands Development Authority has selected a senior Dublin City Council official as the next chief executive of the agency that is charged with the renewal of north and south city docks.

The selection of Paul Maloney was agreed yesterday by the docklands authority board.

Mr Maloney will replace Peter Coyle, who is leaving to establish his own business in the urban regeneration area.

He will be charged with leading the authority's regeneration initiatives Grand Canal Dock, Spencer Dock, the North Lotts and the Point Village.

A former Army captain, Mr Maloney joined Dublin City Council in 1997. He is currently executive manager for the "central area" of the city and previously held the post of project manager for the northeast inner city integrated area plan.

He also worked in the Office of the Director of Traffic and holds an MSc in engineering from Trinity College, Dublin.

Docklands authority chairman Lar Bradshaw said Mr Maloney had "all the attributes" the board was looking for.

"With the docklands project at its half-way point, Paul will be taking up the challenge of delivering the master plan vision and achieving ever-increasing standards of excellence in architectural legacy, educational and economic development and quality of family living, in particular," he said.