Editing Commission for Communications Regulation

{{Short description|Irish communications regulator}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Commission for Communications Regulation
| type = [[State Agencies of the Republic of Ireland|State Agency]] of the [[Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications]]
|logo = [[Image:Commission for Communications Regulation Ireland.png|160|center]]
|formed  = {{Start date|df=yes|2002|12|01}}
|preceding1 = Office of Telecommunications Regulation
|preceding2 = 
|dissolved =
|superseding =
|jurisdiction = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|headquarters = 1 Dockland Central, Guild Street, Dublin 1, D01 E4X0
|region_code = IRL
|coordinates =
|employees = 
|budget = 
|minister1_name = 
|minister1_pfo =
|chief1_name =  Garrett Blaney
|chief1_position = Commissioner
|chief2_name = Robert Mourik
|chief2_position = Commissioner
|agency_type = 
|parent_agency =
|child1_agency = 
|keydocument1 = Communications Regulation Act, 2002 
|website = [http://www.comreg.ie/ ComReg website]
}}

The '''Commission for Communications Regulation''' ('''ComReg''') ({{langx|ga|An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide}}) is the general [[communication]]s [[Regulatory agency|regulator]] for [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], covering almost all possible types of communications.

Founded on 1 December 2002, ComReg took over from the '''Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation''' ('''ODTR'''), amongst other bodies. The ODTR was established in 1997 to take over the licensing and regulatory functions of the [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport, Energy and Communication]] which related primarily to broadcasting and communications. The first (and only) Director of Telecommunications Regulation was [[Etain Doyle]], who was subsequently appointed Chairperson of ComReg, on its establishment.

Under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA20Y2002.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426172511/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA20Y2002.html |date=April 26, 2005 }}</ref> the [[Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications|Minister for Communications, Marine, and Natural Resources]] appoints the chairperson and up to two other commissioners of ComReg. Currently the commissioners are Garrett Blaney, [[:simple:Helen Dixon|Helen Dixon]] and Robert Mourik.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Team |url=https://www.comreg.ie/about/our-team/ |website=Commission for Communications Regulation |access-date=9 August 2024 |language=en |date=22 February 2016}}</ref>
Sectors regulated by ComReg include [[mail|post]], [[telecoms]], [[internet]], [[cable television]], [[terrestrial television]], [[radio]] and [[domain name]] under the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 (No. 20 of 2002), S.I. No. 510 of 2002 Communications Regulation Act 2002 (Establishment Day) Order 2002 and other acts. For a full list of legislation underpinning ComReg's responsibilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comreg.ie/about_us/legislation.501.html |title=Legislation - ComReg |publisher=Comreg.ie |date= |accessdate=2013-10-12}}</ref>

ComReg set prices, allocate frequencies, and issue licenses to those involved in these sectors and provides statistical data, consumer product price comparisons to assist consumers in achieving value for money on a fair basis. In relation to terrestrial television and radio, the commission acts in conjunction with [[Coimisiún na Meán]] (formerly the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]]). After the enactment of the [[Broadcasting Act 2009]] RTÉ and TG4 authorities were disbanded and now come under Coimisiún na Meán's remit.

ComReg is also tasked with enforcing wireless telegraphy legislation, in particular the [[Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926|Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926]], in relation to use of the radio spectrum, which includes actions against [[pirate radio]] stations, distributors of mobile phone repeaters and other unlicensed users of radio spectrum.

==See also==
* [[Communications in Ireland]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.comreg.ie/ }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100111065957/http://www.regtel.ie/ Archive of prior RegTel official website]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Commission For Communications Regulation}}
[[Category:Communications authorities]]
[[Category:Government agencies of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Mass media in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Communications in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Telecommunications in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications]]
[[Category:Regulation in Ireland]]
[[Category:2002 establishments in Ireland]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 2002]]