For the purposes of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 a statutory undertaker is defined as a person, for the time being, authorised by or under any enactment or instrument under an enactment to construct or operate a railway, canal, inland navigation, dock, harbour or airport; provide, or carry out works for the provision of, gas, electricity or telecommunications services; or provide services connected with, or carry out works for the purposes of the carrying on of the activities of any public undertaking.
The Director of Telecommunications Regulation is responsible for the regulation of the telecommunications sector in accordance with domestic and EU legislation. As part of this function, the Director is empowered to grant licences pursuant to the Postal and Telecommunications Service Act, 1983, as amended, for the purposes of the provision of telecommunications networks and services to the public. The names of the statutory undertakers for telecommunications services granted licences under this legislation are available on the website of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation – www.odtr.ie.