Consumer Initiatives

Consumer Advisory Panel

The Consumer Advisory Panel was established by ComReg in accordance with Section 12 of the Communications Act 2002. The purpose of the Consumer Panel is to advise the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) on developments, innovations and areas of consumer concern surrounding the three main areas of ComReg’s consumer policy (maximise consumer welfare, protecting consumers and raising consumer awareness. The Consumer Advisory Panel consists of four members appointed by the Commission. In appointing the members, the Commission has ensured as far as possible that the members have knowledge or experience of the telecommunications industry. The Advisory Panel meets approximately three times in one annual year.

The Advisory Panel will be responsible for highlighting issues that will assist ComReg’s understanding of consumers concerns in relation to the communications industry. The Panel undertakes to advise ComReg in open discussions not forgetting the confidentiality that may surround these issues. The Panel is an added source of information to ComReg but it is not the sole source of consumer advice and input as ComReg has within its own resources the ability to identify consumer interest when making regulatory decisions.

The Main Functions of the Consumer Panel

• To help ComReg’s decision making by raising specific issues of consumer concern
• To provide an open and independent advice to comreg on a diverse range of issues that arises in the communications industry
• To give advice on how ComReg’s activities are impacting on consumers
• To highlight the importance of engaging with residential consumers and Small to Medium Enterprises
• To make collective recommendations and suggestions to comreg on current consumer concerns
• To advise ComReg on consumer interests in the markets regulated by ComReg

Membership

• Dermot Jewell - Chief Executive of the Consumers Association of Ireland
• Gerry Finn - Director, Midland and Western Regional Assembly
• Sean Murphy - Head of Public Affairs, Chamber of Commerce of Ireland
• Edward Crean, Senior Policy & Public Affairs Advisor,  National Disability Authority (NDA)