Ireland’s Internet top-level domain, .ie. The PAC makes formal recommendations to the Board for approval. The PAC follow a 10-step framework known as the .ie Policy Development Process (PDP). The PDP is designed to be bottom-up and consensus-driven. This means that anyone can suggest a policy change and if there is agreement amongst stakeholders, the policy change can be implemented. Further information on the PDP can be found here. The PAC has supported the below policy change requests:- The Terms of Reference for the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), including the PAC membership of eligible organisations, can be found here: · Terms of Reference · Members of the PAC The PAC has held four public consultations to gather the opinions of the wider Irish internet community and to ensure that these are taken into consideration during the policy development process. The PAC has also held four additional consultations with other stakeholders deemed to be most impacted by policy change requests to ensure their input is considered. IE Domain Registry has modernised the registration process over the last number of years. Registering a .ie domain is now more automated with .ie registrations typically going live within an hour or less during weekdays. A web interface for .ie Registrars and an API which enables them to integrate .ie registration procedures with their systems are partially responsible for the more efficient registration process. The rules for registering .ie domain names were changed on 21 March 2018. This change removed the need to explain why an applicant wants a particular name (also called ‘claim to the name’) when registering a .ie domain name. This made the registration process easier and faster. Previously, an applicant registering a .ie domain had to prove they had a valid claim to the desired domain and a real, tangible connection to the island of Ireland. Those registering a .ie domain still have to prove their connection to Ireland but no longer need to explain their claim to a name. IE Domain Registry acted as a ‘Registrar of last resort’ for individuals and companies who for whatever reason, chose not to deal directly with a Registrar. On 31 March 2020, the direct registration service was terminated. On this date, all direct customers were transferred to an accredited .ie Registrar, 101 Domain. 101 Domain was selected after a transparent tender and independently managed auction process. The drivers for this decision included the