Former Aer Lingus chief executive, Christoph Mueller, is stepping down from the chairmanship of the State's postal company, An Post.

Mr Mueller took over as chief executive of south-east Asian carrier, Malaysia Airlines, last week, after leaving Aer Lingus in February.

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, said on Thursday that he has accepted Mr Mueller's resignation as chairman of An Post.

Mr Mueller was appointed to the An Post job in June 2013. The State company paid him €24,000 for his services that year.

When Mr Mueller announced his intention to leave Aer Lingus in July 2014, he said that he intended to remain with An Post and as a board member of Tourism Ireland.

However, he stepped down from Tourism Ireland in recent days, meaning that he has now relinquished his positions with both State bodies.

Commenting on his departure, Mr White said: “I have accepted Mr Mueller’s resignation with regret and I want to thank him warmly for the excellent service he has given to An Post over the last two years”.

The Public Appointments Service will advertise shortly for a replacement.