SI No. 307 of 2003, the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2003, provides for the establishment and operation of independent appeal panels to hear and determine appeals of decisions made by the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg.
As ComReg is therefore a party to the appeals process and the appeals panel is independent in its functions, there is no question of me issuing a directive to ComReg. I may give instructions to ComReg to meet the costs incurred by the appeals panel, in accordance with the framework regulations, however, this does not form part of the overall deliberations.