Dermot Ahern Announces Transfer of .ie to Communications Regulator

Dublin, Tuesday, 13^th April 2004

Dermot Ahern TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, today announced that regulation and control of Ireland’s domain name (.ie) is to be transferred to the Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg).

Officials at the Minister’s Department are currently drafting legislation to provide for the transfer of the .ie domain name registry (IEDR) to Comreg. The latest domain name figures show almost 40,000 websites with .ie registrations.

The Minister announced that a draft heads of a Bill has been prepared providing for the regulation of the functions carried out by the IEDR in relation to the management of the ie domain name be vested in Com Reg. It is expected to go before the Cabinet shortly. The new Bill will provide also for fines of up to €2,000 daily for non-compliance with regulations laid down with the operation of the registry. 

Minister Ahern said: “The .ie name is Ireland’s website address. As such it is in a sense a national resource. I want to ensure that Ireland’s national domain name registry is in a position to thrive and benefit business and consumers alike. I believe the transfer of responsibility to an organisation such as Comreg will immeasurably strengthen the operations of the registry. In addition, increased regulatory sanctions will ensure that those in breach of domain name regulations will be hit in their pockets.”

The new Bill also provides for the Minister to issue policy directions in relation to the management of the domain name. Other aspects of the Bill allows for administrative issues in relation to the management of the domain name including authorising Com Reg to impose a levy on the registration authority to fund their expenses in relation to the management of the registration authority. 

ENDS

Tel: +353-1-6782446 ¨ Fax: +353-1-6782739 ¨ E-Mail:   press.office@dcmnr.gov.ie