Former planning appeals board chairman John O'Connor is to take the same role at Eirgrid, the State company responsible for Ireland's electricity networks.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, confirmed yesterday that Mr O'Connor had agreed to accept the chairmanship of Eirgrid.

Mr O'Connor served as chairman of An Bord Pleanála for 11 years until 2011. Before that, he worked in a number of senior positions in the Department of the Environment. He is currently chairman of the Pyrite Resolution Board.

Eirgrid operates the electricity transmission systems in the Republic and North.