The Chief Executive of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has availed of the State's early retirement scheme.
Paul Maloney has declined to comment to RTÉ News on the reasons for his departure.
However, the board of the authority says it faces challenges and has decided to appoint a new chief executive.
The DDDA was set up 12 years ago to lead the regeneration of the east side of the capital.
Following a board meeting last night the organisation has confirmed its chief executive Paul Maloney has retired early.
In a statement issued the evening, Chairwoman Niamh Brennan said the authority would be facing significant challenges in the months and years ahead.
She said: 'Given these challenges, and the fact Mr Maloney's contract was due to expire in June 2010, the board will in due course appoint a new CEO to ensure the Docklands Authority fulfuls its important mandate in partnership with its key stakeholders.'
While the Authority's statement does not say what those challenges are, one of the issues which has attracted controversy has been its 26% stake in the Irish Glass Bottling site in Ringsend, Dublin.
Another issue was its decision to fast-track the granting of planning permission for a new headquarters to Anglo Irish Bank in Spencer Dock, Dublin.
That decision was overturned following a challenge from developer Sean Dunne.
