The Government plans to appoint Mr Mike Byrne as the final commissioner on the board of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).

Mr Byrne will join the current chairman of ComReg, Mr John Doherty, and Ms Isolde Goggin on a three-person commission, which will regulate the telecoms and communications sectors.

An official announcement on the new ComReg appointment is expected to be made within the next few weeks by the Minister for Communications, Mr Dempsey, after contract negotiations are finalised.

Mr Byrne joined ComReg in 2002 and currently works as director of market operations. In this role he has responsibility for the supervision of telephone pricing and ensuring a universal service for all Eircom consumers.

Previously, he worked in the private sector with the Irish technology consulting company Vision Consulting in telecoms and financial services for about five years. Prior to this appointment Mr Byrne was an officer in the Army, where he worked on technology systems.

Mr Byrne holds a Bachelor's degree from University College Galway and a Master's degree from Trinity College Dublin.

Last year, the Government decided to appoint a three-strong commission to replace the single director post . It is also expected to appoint a third commissioner to the Commission for Energy Regulation board within weeks.