Prasifka to succeed Fingleton as chairman of Competition Authority

THE former chief executive of the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has been appointed as chairman of the Competition Authority.

Bill Prasifka, who left the CAR last year, will take up the position at the end of March.

He succeeds Dr John Fingleton, who left the Competition Authority to take over as head of Britain's top consumer watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading.

Announcing the appointment, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin said: "I am delighted that Mr Prasifka has decided to take up the position as chairperson of the Authority."

Mr Prasifka, who is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law, previously worked as the Irish Commissioner for Aviation Regulation and was also a former member of the Irish Competition Authority.

"Prior to these appointments Mr Prasifka was in private practice, first in New York and then in Dublin, advising in the areas of Irish, European and American competition law."

It is understood that Mr Prasifka fought off competition from five Irish and international candidate for the job.

Mr Prasifka will have a heavy workload when he arrives at the authority's office.

The body is in the middle of a lengthy study of several professions, including the legal industry, with a final report due in the coming months.