A SPOKESMAN for Dr Tony O'Reilly said he could not comment on a report that Dr O'Reilly is to replace Mr Liam Healy as chairman of Newspaper Publishing, owner of the British newspapers, The Independent and Independent on Sunday.

The report in yesterday's Sunday Times said the move suggests that Dr O'Reilly will focus his energies on Newspaper Publishing, following his reduced workload at Heinz.

Newspaper Publishing is controlled by the Mirror Group and Independent Newspapers. Dr O'Reilly last week announced he was giving up one of his three titles at Heinz when he appointed Mr William Johnson as president and chief operating officer.