Minister O’Donovan appoints Niamh Hodnett as a Commissioner to ComReg
- Published on: 12 May 2026
- Last updated on: 12 May 2026
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’ Donovan TD, has announced the appointment of Niamh Hodnett as a Commissioner to the Commission of Communications Regulation (ComReg), following an open competition run by publicjobs.
Ms. Hodnett currently holds the role of Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, having been appointed in 2023 upon the establishment of An Coimisiún. In her role as Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh oversaw the development, adoption and application of Ireland’s first online safety code and is currently Chair of the Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN).
Ms. Hodnett is a qualified solicitor and has previously worked at ComReg, at law firms in both Ireland and Brussels, and in a variety of in-house legal and regulatory roles including Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer at the National Lottery and Head of Regulatory Affairs at 3 Ireland. She has also co-authored books European Law and Irish Regulatory Law.
Welcoming her appointment, Minister O’Donovan said:
As Ireland’s first online safety commissioner, Niamh had a vital role to play in bringing self-regulation of platforms to an end in leading on the application of Ireland’s first online safety code. Through her work in Coimisiún na Meán Niamh has contributed enormously to making the Internet a safer place for everyone, but in particular our children. She will bring considerable experience to her new role, in particular in designing, enforcing and managing compliance with regulatory obligations at both an Irish and EU level. This will be invaluable experience as she joins ComReg, where she will be regulating an industry of increasing importance to our economy, as we see a growing reliance on electronic communications services. I am reassured that Niamh will be able to continue in public service and I congratulate her on her continued success.
The Minister noted that ComReg continues to operate in a fast-paced environment with evolving regulatory frameworks being developed at EU and national levels. The organisation will require continued strong leadership to stay abreast of major developments in the digital ecosystem, to ensure an appropriate regulatory response to challenges and opportunities, and to proactively engage with the sector and consumers.
ENDS
Note to editors:
ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002.
GOSRN brings together regulators and observers from five continents and is dedicated to supporting collaboration between online safety regulators. It aims to enhance coherence and consistency between international regulators’ approaches to online safety, through the sharing of information, expertise, and experience.
The appointment is due to take effect from 22 June 2026 and the post of Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán will be filled as soon as possible through an open competition which the Department is currently progressing.