Communication Agencies

The Departments objectives

• Growth, competitiveness and innovation by ensuring Ireland is to be to the forefront and availing opportunities afforded by electronic communications.
• To promote a vibrant broadcasting sector, providing engaging, entertaining and informative content.
• To provide best practice corporate governance and regulatory systems in all sectors.

The Department provides services to the public and private companies, traders and community groups.

Agencies

The Department oversees several agencies including

• An Post, providing postal communication, financial services and retail services.
• ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation. The Commission is responsible for the regulation of electronic commerce, communications and the Postal Service.
• RTE; public broadcasting, providing free-to-air television, radio and online services.
• Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the regulator of the broadcasting sector.
• Digital Hub Development Agency, an international centre for excellence of knowledge, innovation, focus and creativity focused on digital content and national enterprises.
• The National Oil Reserves Authority responsible for the strategic management of oil stocks.
• The Ordnance Survey Ireland, the national mapping agency.

Communication Agencies

The Department of Transport and Power existed from 1959 to 1977.  The Department of Transport, Energy and Communications existed from 1993 to 1997.  The Department of Tourism and Transport operated from 1977 to 1980.  In its second incorporation, the Department of Tourism and Transport existed from 1987 to 1991.

The Department of Communications was formed in 1983 and continued until 1991.  The first incorporation of the Department of Energy was in 1980-1981. The second incorporation was from 1983 to 1993.

The Department of Communication Energy and Natural Resources has been place since 2007 SI 706/2007.   From 2002 to 2007 it was the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

• The Electronic Communications Appeal Panel operated from 2003 to 2007.
• The Broadcasting Advisory Committee operated under the Wireless Telegraphy Act from 1927 to 1953.
• The Broadcast Complaints Commission operated from 1977 (under Broadcasting Authority Act 1976) until 2009 when its functions were merged with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.  The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was created by the merger of the BCC and BCI under the Broadcasting Act 2009.  The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland was merged into it having formed in 2001.  Prior to 2001 it was known as the Independent Radio and Television Commission.
• The Commission for Communications Regulation was established in 2002 and has expanded.
• The Commission for Electricity Regulation was established in 1999.  In 2002 it was replaced by The Commission for Energy Regulation.
• The Director of Telecommunications Regulations Office was replaced by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg in 2002.  It was established in 1997.
• The Independent Radio and Television Commission was established in 1988 and renamed as the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in 2001.
• The Irish Film Board was established in 1981 and re-established in 1993 having been abolished in 1987.
• The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland is an independent statutory body  It licenses independent broadcasting services including digital, cable satellite system.  It develops codes and rules in relation to programming and advertising standards and monitors licensed service to ensure compliance.
• The Commission for Communications Regulation is responsible for the regulation of the electronic communication sector.  ComReg facilitates market entry through authorisation to provide networks and services.  It regulates access to networks and services so as to develop effective choices for consumers.
  The Broadcasting Policy Division assists the use of policy in legislative matters in relation to broadcasting.
• The Communications policy deals with regulatory and policy matters surrounding electronic communication and management of the frequency spectrum.  It exercises corporate governance in relation to ComReg.
• The Communications, Postal Division deals with corporate governance in relation to An Post and regulatory matters concerning the postal sector.
• The Communications Development Division oversees and manages the implementation of a variety of infrastructural projects. It deals with the  delivery of broadband infrastructure.  It is responsible for the National Rural Broadband Scheme and Schools Broadband pilot project.
• The Communications, Business and Technology Division provides in-house expertise in business and technology issues, driving the Communications Sector.  This includes formulation and development of policy across business and technology issues.
• The Knowledge Society Division seeks to maximise the number of persons participating in the Knowledge Society.
  Raidió Éireann was established by the Broadcasting Authority Act 1960.  It became  Raidió Teilifís Éireann under the Broadcasting Authority Amendment Act 1966.
• Teilifís na Gaeilge was established as a subsidiary of RTE in 1996.  It was established as an independent corporation in 2007 under the Broadcasting Act 2001?
• Bord Telecom Éireann was formed in 1984 under the Postal and Telecommunication Services Act 1983.  It became Eircom in 1999.
• Dublin Media Development Ltd was incorporated in 2000 and replaced by Digital Hub Development Agency under 2003 Act.
• The Press Council was established in 2007  The Press Ombudsman Office was established in 2008.
• An Post was incorporated in January 1984 under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983.
• The Office for Internet Safety was established in 2008.