Niamh Hodnett has been appointed as a Commissioner of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), meaning that she will step down from her role as Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán.
As Ireland’s first Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh oversaw the roll-out of the Ireland’s Online Safety Framework alongside Digital Services Commissioner John Evans. Niamh led the development of the Online Safety Code, alongside the designation of video-sharing platform services. She also established Coimisiún na Meán’s Youth Advisory Committee, ensuring that the views of young people are reflected in An Coimisiún’s work. Niamh also managed the Policy, Research and Strategy Division at Coimisiún na Meán.
Jeremy Godfrey, Executive Chair at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Niamh has played an instrumental role in implementing Ireland’s Online Safety Framework. In particular, her leadership in developing our Online Safety Code has been essential in ensuring that there are binding rules in place for how online platforms keep people in Ireland, and across Europe, safe online.
Since the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán in March 2023, Niamh has contributed immensely to shaping the organisation, building its capabilities, and setting strong foundations for our regulatory approach. On behalf of my fellow Commissioners and our colleagues at Coimisiún na Meán, I want to thank her for her dedication, expertise, and public service, and to wish her every success in her new position at ComReg.”
Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner said: “It is a privilege to have been Ireland’s first Online Safety Commissioner and to have played a part in the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán, including growing the organisation from 40 staff at inception to over 300 today. We have put in place the regulatory building blocks of the Online Safety Framework, ending the era of tech self-regulation. We have also worked hard to make people aware of their rights online through our campaigns and resources for primary and secondary schools. I look forward to seeing Coimisiún na Meán’s continuing success and to our regular engagement through the Digital Regulators Group.”
The Public Appointments Service will run the recruitment process for Niamh’s successor as Commissioner. Pending the appointment of a replacement, the duties of the Online Safety Commissioner will be discharged by the Chairperson.