Mr Seán Ryan has been a senior counsel since 1983. He was called to the Bar in 1972. He has been tipped as a future High Court judge for some time.
A Fine Gael supporter, originally from Co Tipperary, he is described as "immensely popular" with colleagues. He was senior counsel on the O'Buachalla inquiry and is senior counsel on the Ferns inquiry.
As chairman of the Compensation Advisory Committee report, on whose recommendations the Residential Institutions Redress Board was set up in January last year, he came into direct contact with many victims of abuse.
A legal source close to one of those groups said of his approach yesterday that "nobody, the victims' groups, the Department, the religious orders, had any complaints. He was also very thorough in getting as many views as possible. He was supremely efficient. He set out a timetable and he delivered within that timetable.
"His knowledge of the protagonists from this will also be invaluable to him in carrying out his work at the commission."
Mr Ryan is to be made a High Court judge to ensure "the integrity of the independence of the \ chairperson will be maintained," the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, said yesterday.
He has been requested to immediately undertake his own independent review, which is to be completed within a period of eight weeks. It will make "all necessary recommendations having regard to the interests of the victims; the completion of the commission's work within a reasonable period and in a manner consistent with a proper investigation; and do this without incurring exorbitant costs".
