declining size of the direct portfolio, the fact that it is common practice in the ccTLD sector - registries are selling/exiting (incl. Finland, Sweden & UK), and IE Domain Registry could not grow the direct portfolio, given its self-imposed restrictions on marketing/promotion motivated by the need to avoid even the perception of competition with Registrars. In the context of requiring Directs to transfer, IE Domain Registry was satisfied that there would be no adverse issues arising or risks regarding consumer choice, efficient markets and intensity of competition:- · There are over ~130 accredited .ie Registrars, providing a range of services, with bundled options and at differing price points, · There is a mix of national and international Registrars, and many are ICANN accredited · Efficient market exits – with strong, ethical, professional Registrars · A ‘Registrar of last resort service’ is not needed in Ireland ComReg Takes Over IEDR Policy Functions Under the Communication Regulations (Amendment) Bill 2007, the Communications Regulator (ComReg) has taken over most of the policy functions of IEDR. The legislation was passed by the Oireachtas and came into force on 15 May 2007 with the signing of the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2007 (Commencement) Order, 2007 – (S.I. No. 224 of 2007). According to the Regulatory Impact Analysis, the legislation puts in place legal instruments for the regulation of the private sector company (IEDR) which is currently administrating .ie ccTLD. This move to protect the .ie ccTLD and provide the mechanisms to transfer the administration of .ie ccTLD away from IEDR if required makes this legislation very powerful and effectively changes IEDR to being a service company from its previous position of making policy and administrating the .ie ccTLD. The legislation gives ComReg complete power over .ie ccTLD policy decisions: designating the authority to register .ie domains; setting renewal periods and conditions; revoking registrations, registration conditions; pricing of .ie domains and appeals against revocation of registrations. IEDR, however, still provides the day-to-day administration of .ie ccTLD. Communication Regulations (Amendment) Bill 2007 Regulatory Impact Analysis See also Communications in Ireland External links IE Communication Regulations (Amendment) Bill 2007 Terms of Reference Members of the PAC Internet governance organizations Mass media in the Republic of Ireland Organisations based in the Republic of Ireland Science and technology in the Republic of Ireland University College Dublin