The Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation was set up earlier this year. It says it is independently funded and independent in the exercise of its functions. It is mainly staffed by former staff (around 50) from the old Department of Transport, Energy and Communications (now the Department of Public Enterprises).

The Office is headed by Ms Etain Doyle, who used to work in ESB International (ESBI). The director is responsible for exercising powers "accorded to national regulatory authorities pursuant to EU and national legislation".

It is funded from the various licence fees levied for use of radios, cable television etc. This amounted to £3.5 million last year.