Eircom has confirmed that Dr Philip Nolan will take over from Mr Alfie Kane as chief executive at the start of next year. Dr Nolan is currently the chief executive of Lattice Group, a quoted company demerged from British Gas last year. It has interest in gas pipelines and telecommunications.

Dr Nolan (48) was paid £395,000 sterling (€634,131) last year by Lattice.

Sir Anthony O'Reilly, the chairman of Eircom, said: "Philip has a wealth of world-class experience in the provision of a range of utility services. His international knowledge, gained within a regulated environment, will now be made available in Ireland to Eircom's customers and employees."

Sir Anthony, who became chairman of Eircom last Friday, added that Dr Nolan's appointment "marks an important first step towards meeting the objectives I have consistently set in relation to our pursuit of excellence in the Irish telecommunications industry".