Minister Ryan appoints Alex Chisholm as New Chairperson of the Commission for Communication Regulation

Commenting on the appointment Minister Ryan said “High speed broadband is critical for the Smart Economy which is the foundation for the Government’s economic recovery plan. ComReg’s role in creating the necessary regulatory conditions to facilitate investment and ensure healthy competition in the telecoms and broadband markets is all the more important now and I have every confidence that Mr Chisholm has the qualities to fulfil this role at what is a particularly challenging time for the industry. I wish him well”

Mr Chisholm will succeed Mr John Doherty who has held the position of Chairperson for the last 2 years. Mr Doherty, while continuing in his role as ComReg Commissioner, has recently taken up the position as Chairperson of the Body European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). The Minister paid tribute to Mr Doherty “I would like to take this opportunity to thank John for the considerable contribution he has made in the past two years as Chairperson of ComReg and I wish him every success in his role as Chairperson of the BEREC. John will bring his extensive experience and commitment to this new challenge”.

Minister Ryan also paid tribute to Commissioner Mike Byrne on his appointment as Vice Chairperson of the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) with a view to becoming chairperson in November 2010. “It is a tribute to Ireland that both Commissioners Doherty and Byrne have been appointed to such high-level international positions. It is recognition of the high regard in which Ireland is held and is a great personal honour for them both.”

Note to Editors

Mr Chisholm’s appointment is in keeping with the practice of rotating the Chair of ComReg. The other two members of the three-person Commission, Mr John Doherty and Mr Mike Byrne have held the position in the past. Mr Chisholm was appointed to the Commission in 2007.

Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) replaces the European Regulators Group and acts as an exclusive forum for cooperation among national regulatory authorities (NRAs), and between NRAs and the Commission, in the exercise of the full range of their responsibilities under the EU regulatory framework.

BEREC is made up of the heads of the 27 national telecoms regulators. Decisions will be taken, as a rule, by two-thirds majority and by simple majority when BEREC gives opinions in the context of the Commission’s analysis of measures notified to the European Commission by national regulators. BEREC decisions will be prepared with the support of independent experts. BEREC will also advise, support and complement the independent work of national telecoms regulators, especially when it comes to regulatory decisions with cross-border aspects.

The Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) was created by a European Commission Decision in 2002.Comprising the national spectrum authorities of the 27 EU Member States, the RSPG provides the Commission with advice on high level policy matters in relation to spectrum. Representatives of the EEA countries, the European Parliament and the regional and international bodies may attend as observers. Before being transmitted to the Commission, the RSPG’s expert opinions are submitted to public consultations of all spectrum users, both commercial and non-commercial, as well as any other interested stakeholders. The RSPG therefore constitutes a unique platform for Member States, the Commission and all relevant stakeholders to discuss and co-ordinate regulation of radio spectrum.