EirGrid plc, the company due to shortly take over responsibility for the national grid, has begun searching for a chief executive.

The appointment will involve a seven year rolling annual contract with remuneration set between €157,605 and €197,006, a performance bonus of up to 25 per cent and a car.

The new company is expected to employ some 250 professional and technical staff who will have responsibility for operating the transmission system.

The setting up of EirGrid has been the subject of major controversy over the last two years. Because of various disagreements it has proven difficult to get staff and management ESB to transfer to the new entity.