The Government has announced that John Evans will take up the role of Digital Services Commissioner later this month.
Mr Evans will join the Executive Chair and three Commissioners in Coimisiún na Meán, the new media regulator established earlier this year.
Coimisiún na Meán will act as Ireland's Digital Services Coordinator under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).
The DSA is a new set of rules that will regulate the way digital platforms deal with harmful and illegal content, and will be fully applicable from February next year.
Mr Evans will lead the establishment of the Digital Services Coordinator function in Coimisiún na Meán and work closely with the Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, in developing a new regulatory regime for online safety in Ireland.
"The DSA represents further progress in the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework to protect people online," said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.
"The appointment of Mr Evans is another milestone in the expansion of Coimisiún na Meán in preparation for taking on additional online safety and digital regulation functions," Ms Martin said.
Meanwhile, Coimisiún na Meán today launched a recruitment campaign to fill a range of roles.
The new media commission said it will continue to hire on a rolling basis over the coming year as it recruits 120 new staff.
The commission is looking to fill director and managerial roles in a range of key areas to help it to deliver on its plans to enhance online safety, and to regulate and support the media sector.
"Coimisiún na Meán is committed to ensuring a thriving, diverse and safe online and media landscape," said Jeremy Godfrey, Executive Chairperson of Coimisiún na Meán.
"Building on the work and remit of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, we are currently in start-up phase, and we will be hiring in the region of 120 new colleagues across all levels over the coming year."
"This will allow us to become fully operational by early 2024," Mr Godfrey said.
