Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007
Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2007 (No. 22 of 2007)
The primary purpose of this Act is to increase the enforcement powers of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) so that it can better achieve one of its primary functions, which is the promotion of competition, thereby leading to better and more competitively priced telecommunications services for consumers.
The other main provisions of the Act include
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Competition powers for ComReg, similar to the Competition Authority, in the telecoms sector, which will allow ComReg to investigate and take action in issues such as abuse of dominance.
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Provisions for the operation of an emergency call answering service (ECAS) and the regulation of the ‘.ie domain name’.
- Powers for ComReg to investigate overcharging.
A Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on the legislative proposals in the Bill was also undertaken by the Department. A copy of this (screening) RIA is available here also.
Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2007 (Commencement) Order, 2007 - (S.I. No. 224 of 2007)
The Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Mr. Noel Dempsey has signed a Commencement Order (S.I. No. 224 of 2007) which brings the provisions of the Act into force from the 15th of May, 2007 save for:
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Section 9 which relates to ComReg’s annual action plan and financial forecast which comes into effect on 1st July, 2007, and
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Section 21 in relation to Section 32(2) and (6) of the Electronic Commerce Act, 2000 – re the registration of “.ie” domain names, for which a separate commencement order will be necessary. (Sections 32(2) and (6) make it an offence to use a “.ie” domain name unless it is registered in accordance with Regulations made under Section 32. Sections 32(2) and (6) will be commenced when the necessary Regulations have been made.)