iedr annual report & review 2015 · backed by robust independent research; new services for...

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Recognised globally as identifiably Irish

IEDR ANNUAL REPORT & REVIEW 2015

http://www.iedr.ie

Contents2 PerformanceHighlights20153 StrategicPriorities4 Chairman’sStatement6 ChiefExecutive’sReport

Corporate Governance10 BoardofDirectorsandManagement12 CorporateGovernance13 TheAuditCommittee14 InternetGovernance16 PolicyDevelopment17 CorporateSocialResponsibility(CSR)

Business and Market Review20 FrontlineCustomerServices28 TechnicalServicesReview32 OutreachandPromotionReview36 FiveYearSummary58 GlossaryofTerms

Financial Statements38 CompanyInformation38 Directors’Report41 IndependentAuditors’Report42 ProfitandLossAccount43 BalanceSheet44 StatementofCashFlows45 NotestotheFinancialStatements

IEDR 2015 Key Figures 208,928

Databaseof.iedomains

35,225New.ie

Registrations88.6%

Renewalrates

€3.7mMembers’

Funds

IEDR works on behalf

of the Irish community

to promote the Internet

as a strategic national

resource.

Number of new .ie registrations – quarterly growth

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

9,398

8,564

7,873

7,649

8,793

8,547

7,871

6,943

8,663

8,024

7,371

7,014

9,978

8,890

8,666

7,691

9,244

8,935

Q1

12

Q2

12

Q3

12

Q4

12

Q1

13

Q2

13

Q3

13

Q4

13

Q1

14

Q2

14

Q3

14

Q4

14

Q1

15

Q2

15

Q3

15

Q4

15

Q1

16

Q2

16

Prices of a .ie domain (€)

020406080

100120140

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Direct Registrars

2 IEDR Annual Report & Review 2015

PerformanceHighlights2015ExtractfromtheauditedFinancialStatements(financialfiguresonly)

Profit and Loss

Year to 31 Dec 2015

Year to 31 Dec 2014

€ €

Registration Revenue 2,859,722 2,723,983

Administrationexpenses (1,706,923) (1,204,141)

Employmentcosts (1,462,973) (1,334,870)

Depreciation (206,908) (175,108)

Operating (loss)/profit (517,082) 9,864

Unrealisedgainsonfinancialinvestment 80,941 83,078

Profitonsaleoffinancialinvestment – 132,358

Interestincome 21,444 30,741

Taxation 25,386 (60,000)

(Loss)/profit after taxation (389,311) 196,041

Balance Sheet

At 31 Dec 2015

At 31 Dec 2014

€ €

FixedAssets 163,762 181,141

Investments 3,159,815 3,078,874

CurrentAssets 2,801,697 3,272,788

Creditors<1year,excludingDeferredIncome (437,514) (592,383)

DeferredIncome (1,970,724) (1,834,073)

Members’ Funds 3,717,036 4,106,347

Cash FlowYear to

31 Dec 2015Year to

31 Dec 2014€ €

Netcash(outflow)/inflowfromoperatingactivities (316,615) 200,141

Decreaseincashintheyear (476,505) (822,122)

Our Strategic Priorities

To focus on the needs and requirements of customers in continuously improving existing services and infrastructure.

To achieve annual new growth rates greater than our competitors (.com/new TLDs) with .ie retention rates comparable to similar ccTLDs.

To contribute to the development of Internet usage and uptake through active involvement and engagement with the community.To deliver on

our customer service, technical, statutory and other obligations as the active Registry Operator for the .ie namespace in Ireland.

To maintain profitability and balance sheet integrity to ensure the company’s ability to enhance .ie stability, safety and resilience through re-investment.

Wecontinuedouremphasisonimprovingcustomer

serviceandonupgradingandintegratingourtechnical

infrastructure.Iamgladtoreportthatwemaintained

ourpositioninanincreasinglycompetitivemarketplace

andthatIEDRagainhadnomaterialunplannedoutages

in2015.

IsaidinmyStatementlastyearthat,arisingfroma

strategicreviewin2014,wehadconcludedthatIEDR

shouldtakeadvantageofitsstrongfinancialposition

byestablishingaspecialStrategicDevelopmentFund

tobeexpendedin2015onarangeofprojectsdesigned

todeepenInternetawarenessanduseinIreland.While

weoperateonastrictlycommercialbasis,wearea

not-for-profitcompanywithageneralresponsibilityfor

promotingtheuseoftheInternetinIreland,particularly

inthebusinesssphere.Therefore,wedeemedit

appropriatetoexpendsomeofouraccumulatedfunds

in2015forthispurpose,overandaboveournormal

promotionalactivities.

ElsewhereinthisReporttherearedetailsofprojects

financedfromtheStrategicDevelopmentFund.Weare

satisfiedthattheyhaveenabledsignificantprogress

tobemadeinadvancingIEDR’sstrategicobjective

ofraisingtheprofileoftheInternetasanessential

businesstool.IwouldmentionhereourDomainProfile

ReportandDigitalHealthIndex,bothofwhichreceived

considerablemediaattention,andtheNationalInternet

DayorganisedbytheIEDRinOctober,2015.Notallthe

projectsplannedwerefullycompletedintheyearand,in

lightofitssuccessin2015,weproposetocontinuewith

asomewhatcurtailedprogrammein2016.

Whilemoderateprogressisbeingmade,bothin

extendingthebroadbandinfrastructureandingetting

businessesconnectedtotheInternet,itisgenerally

acceptedthatIrishSMEshavebeenrelativelyslowin

takingadvantageoftheexponentialgrowthofbusiness

doneonline.Theresultislossofbusinessopportunities

aswellaslossofbusinesstooverseascompetitors.The

IEDR’sOPTIMISEprogramme,whichwillbeinitssixth

yearin2016,providespracticalassistancetofirmsin

theSMEsectorinexploitingtheInternettoe-commerce

enabletheirbusinesses.Ithasalreadyachievedmuch

inthisarea,ashaveinitiativesundertakenbythe

DepartmentofCommunications,EnergyandNatural

Resources.WehopethatourStrategicDevelopment

Fundprojectswillmakeafurthersubstantial

contributioninthisarea.

Asexpected,werecordedanafter-taxdeficitof€390kin

2015asaresultoffinancingtheStrategicDevelopment

Fundand,forthesamereason,weareplanningfora

lossin2016,althoughatamuchlowerlevel.However,as

aresultofprudentfinancialmanagementovertheyears,

theCompany’soverallfinancialpositionremainsfully

protected.Members’Fundsatend2015standat€3.7

million,or130%of2015annualrevenue.Ourprimary

financialobjectivehasalwaysbeentoaccumulateand

maintainafullyadequatecapitalbasetomeetbusiness

requirementsandIcanassureourstakeholdersthatthis

willcontinuetobethecaseintothefuture.Weexpectto

returntoapositivefinancialoutturnin2017.


Chairman’sStatementIEDomainRegistry(IEDR)hadanothersuccessfulyearin2015.Theinstalledbaseof.iedomainsincreasedby12,929domains,netofdeletions,or6.6%overtheyear,toatotal208,928atyearend.

Theyearwasparticularlynoteworthyfortheactivitiesof

thePolicyAdvisoryCommittee(PAC)withabroadbrief

toadvisetheBoardonpolicydevelopmentsaffecting

theCompany.Initsmanagementofthe.ienational

resourcetheCompanyhasakeyresponsibilityfor

balancingtherights,responsibilitiesandobligations

ofourstakeholders.TheestablishmentofthePAC,

representativeasitisofabroadrangeofstakeholders,

playsakeyroleinachievingthatgoal.Wehadan

excellentresponsefromstakeholdersinnominating

representativestoparticipateintheCommitteeandI

wouldlikeagaintorecordtheBoard’ssincerethanksto

everyoneinvolvedfortheirparticipation.Ialsothankthe

IndependentChairmantotheCommittee,MrA.R.Shaw.

ThePAChasalreadymadeasubstantialcontribution

in2015inconsideringnewinitiativesandinadvising

theBoardontheirintroduction.TheChiefExecutive’s

reportgivesfurtherdetailonthis,fromwhichitwillbe

abundantlyclearthatthecommitmentofthemembers

oftheCommitteehasbeenexemplary.

OfparticularimportancetotheIEDR’ssuccessisour

partnershipwithouraccreditedRegistrars,whoare

centraltothemarketingandpromotionof.ieandtoour

growthinitiatives.Iamhappytorecordourthanksto

Registrarsasagroupfortheirsupportof.ieandfortheir

readyparticipation,includingthroughthePolicyAdvisory

Committee,inoureffortstodevelopthenationaldomain

nameintheinterestsoftheInternetcommunity.Ialso

thanktheindustryassociations,withwhichwehave

alwayshadacloserelationship,fortheirassistance,

particularlyinrelationtoserviceimprovementsand

technicaldevelopments.

OnbehalfoftheBoard,IampleasedtothankourChief

Executive,DavidCurtin,hisexecutiveteamandallour

stafffortheirworkduringtheyear,inparticularfortheir

commitmenttomaintainingandimprovingserviceto

ourcustomers.Iampersonallyindebtedtomyfellow

Directorsfortheirassistanceinpolicydevelopment

andoperationaloversightandinmonitoringour

governancetoensurethatitconformstobestpractice.

Wealsoappreciatetheassistanceoftheindustry

regulator,ComRegandtheMinisterandDepartmentof

Communications,EnergyandNaturalResourcesduring

theyear.

DevelopmentsinthefastchangingworldofInternet,

e-commerceanddigitalcommunicationswillcontinue

topresentnewcompetitivechallengesbutIamsatisfied

thatIEDRremainswellplacedtomeetthem.Asmuch

asanything,ourperformancein2015andourrecord

nowovermanyyearsleavemeveryconfidentinour

future.

Professor J. O. Scanlan

ChairmanoftheBoard

27May2016

5IEDR Annual Report & Review 2015

Withongoingemphasisin2015onstrategicexecution,

themanagementteamwasparticularlysuccessful

inachievingexpansionof.ieintermsofnetgrowth:

continuousimprovementincustomerservices;and

contributingtothedevelopmentofSMEInternetusage

anduptakeinIreland.IEDRendedtheyearinavery

strongfinancialposition,with€3.7minMembers’

Fundsand€5.75minliquidfundsandinvestments.

Theoperatinglossduringtheyearended31December

2015arisesprincipallyasaresultofexpenditureof

€508,000onStrategicDevelopmentFundactivities.The

companyestablishedtheFundwithadedicatedbudget

of€618,000tofinanceasetofpromotion,marketing

andcustomerserviceinitiativestomeetthestrategic

objectivesandprioritiesofexpansionandprotection

ofthe.ienamespace.In2015,thisfundfinancedinter

alia;anintegratedradioanddigitalcampaignpromoting

the.iedomainas‘IdentifiablyIrish’;anextensionof

thesuccessfulOPTIMISEprogramme;publications

backedbyrobustindependentresearch;newservices

forcustomersandtheinauguralIrelandInternetDay.

Whileitisdifficulttocalculatethequantitativereturnon

marketinginvestment,thecompanyispleasedwiththe

48.1%year-on-yearincreaseinnetnewregistrations.

ThePolicyAdvisoryCommittee(PAC)metonfive

occasionsduring2015and,applyingthelong-standing

10-steppolicydevelopmentprocesswhichusesa

bottom-upapproachtopolicychangesandconsensus

building,dealtsuccessfullywitharangeofpolicy

changes.Thecompanyproposedthreepolicychanges,

viz;toallow1and2letterdomainnames(previously

blockedduetohistorictechnicalreasons,nolonger

valid);toallowdomainnameswithfadasonthe

vowels(previouslyrestrictedbecauseemailsystems

andInternetbrowserscouldnotcopewithnon-Latin

characters,againnolongeranissue):toallowa

secondarymarketin.iedomainnames(originally

prohibitedtodetercybersquattersandlarge-scale

foreigndomainers).Thelatterpolicychangewillunlock

theintrinsicvalueofaregistrant’s.iedomainname,

bypermittinganaftermarkettoallowdomainholders

toselltherighttousetheir.iedomain.TheCorporate

Governancesectionofthisreportprovidesadditional

information.

Operational reviewNewregistrationsof35,225in2015increasedby13.4%

whencomparedtothesameperiodin2014(31,072).This

growthwasoffsetby22,296non-renewalsordeletions

whichwereinlinewith2014(22,342domains),giving

anetincreaseof12,929whichwas48.1%betterthan

thenetincreasein2014(8,730domains).Thisgrowth,

generatedalmosttotallybythecontinuousefforts

ofIEDR’saccreditedRegistrarcommunity,reflects

externalfactorssuchastheimprovingmacro-economic

environmentandconsumerconfidenceleadingto

increaseduseofwebsitesfornewonlinebusinesses,

productsorservices.Itisoffsetsomewhatbytheuseof

mobileandsocialmediaforsmallbusinesses’promotions.

TheCompanycontinueditsworkin2015topromote

excellenceinSME’swebsitefunctionality,designand

e-commercethroughsponsorshipsanddirectfunding.


ChiefExecutive’sReportTheregistryforthe.ienamespaceperformedexceptionallywellin2015.Loyaltytothe‘IdentifiablyIrish’.iebrandcontributedtoimprovedrenewalratesforexistingcustomers,while.iecontinuedtobethedomainofchoicefornewcustomersregisteringdomainsfornewwebsitesorpromotionalcampaigns.

Thegrowthcurveonpage2illustratestheextentof

theimprovementin2015withastellarQ12015setting

thetonefortheyear.The11.4%levelofnon-renewals/

deletionsisinlinewith2014(11.9%)andthislevelof

.ienon-renewalsisverylowbyinternationalstandards

wherenon-renewalratescanbeover30%–reflecting

theshorterdomainlife-cycles,asdomainsare

increasinglyusedforthepromotionofone-offevents

andcampaigns.

During2015,theCompanycontinuedtoimplementthe

agreedreportingframeworkwiththesubmissionof

quarterlyreportstoComReg.Therewasnoprogress

in2015ontheCompany’sapplicationtoICANNforthe

transferfromUCDof‘activeregistryoperator’statusto

IEDR,whichwassubmittedtoICANNinFebruary2011,

accompaniedbylettersofsupportfromstakeholders

inthelocalInternetcommunity.Inordertocomplete

thetransferrequestICANNwillneedaletterof

supportfromtheIrishgovernment.TheDepartment

ofCommunications,EnergyandNaturalResources

isstillconsideringthematter.

Financial reviewTurnover,representingthedeferredincomereleased

in2015,increasedby5%to€2.86million(2014–€2.72

million).Whiletheinvoicedvalueofregistrationfees

increased,reflectingnewgrowthin2015,anincreasing

proportionisaccountedforbymultiyearregistrations

andrenewals.Accordingly,thedeferredrevenueon

thebalancesheetincreasedby7.5%in2015,to€1.97

million(2014–€1.83million).

Administrativeexpensesincreasedby24.7%from€2.71

millionto€3.38million.Promotion,sponsorship,and

advertisingcostsmorethandoubledin2015asthe

companylauncheditsStrategicDevelopmentFundand

continueditssponsorshipofindustryevents,continued

itsjointpromotionwithRegistrarsofthe.ienamespace

andcontinuedtheOPTIMISEFund,whichassistsSMEs

andmicro-businessestodevelopande-commerce

enabletheir.iewebsites.Employmentcostsincreased

by9.6%in2015to€1.46millionreflectingstaffturnover,

maternitycoverandcostoflivingincreases.Depreciation

increasedby17.7%to€0.2millionreflectingthe

company’sinvestmentsinmissioncriticalapplications

andservicesforcustomers.

Thecompanychangeditsaccountingpolicyinrelation

tofinancialassetsin2015andnowrecordsthefinancial

investmentsonaMarktoMarketbasisofvaluation.The

financialinvestmentsmarketvalueat31December2015

is€3,109,715(2014–€3,028,774).Accordingly,thisuplift

inthecapitalmarketsyieldedanetunrealisedgainof

€80,941fortheyear.

ThefinancialpositionoftheCompanyat31December

2015issolid.Reflectingtheverysignificantinvestments

in2015intheStrategicDevelopmentFund,Members’

Fundsdecreasedby9.4%from€4.1millionatDecember

2014to€3.7millionbytheendofDecember2015.

Similarly,cashandcashequivalentsdecreasedto€5.75

million(2014–€6.15million)including€3.1million

investedwithmultipleinvestmentmanagers.

Profit and Loss

Year to 31 Dec 2015

Year to 31 Dec 2014

€ €

Registration Revenue 2,859,722 2,723,983

Administrationexpenses (1,706,923) (1,204,141)

Employmentcosts (1,462,973) (1,334,870)

Depreciation (206,908) (175,108)

Operating (loss)/profit (517,082) 9,864

Financialinvestmentimpairment 80,941 83,078



Taxation 25,386 (60,000)

(Loss)/profit after taxation (389,311) 196,041

ThequalityoftheCompany’sfinancialtransparencyand

reportinghasbeenindependentlyacknowledged.IEDR

wastheproudwinnerofitscategoryintheChartered

AccountantsIrelandLeinsterSociety,Published

AccountsAwards2015.

Continuous improvements reviewTheentireteamatIEDRstrivesforexcellenceinall

aspectsoftheoperation.Successin2015isevidencedby

beingshortlistedformanyindustryawards.Everyteam

memberispartofthecontinuousimprovementprocess.

TheCompanycontinuedtofocusoncontrollingcostsfor

thechannelandfortheCompany.Theweb-basedconsole

andautomatedinterfacescontinuetoprovidefull

transparencyofalltransactionswithIEDR.Registrars,

asagentsappointedbydomainholders(registrants),

continuetohaveaccountabilityandresponsibilityfor

registrations,renewalsandsuspensionsandhavethe

abilitytoauditthecompletenessandaccuracyoftheir

.ieportfolioswithinIEDR’sdatabase.


Thedataescrowfunctioncontinuedtooperate,

wherebyrelevantextractsofthe.iedatabaseare

extracted,encryptedandtransmittedtoathirdparty,

tobeheldinsafekeepingandonlyreleasedtothe

appropriateauthoritiesintheunlikelyeventofa

catastrophiceventoccurringattheRegistry.Thisadded

layerofresilience,reliabilityandprotectionprovides

businesscontinuityandpeaceofmindforregistrants

of.iedomainnames.

TheTechnicalServicesTeamupdatedthehigh

availabilityinfrastructurewithinthetwodatacentres

inlinewiththeCompany’sregularupgradeinvestment

cycle.Theteamremainsvigilantinprotectingthe

nationalDNSinfrastructureagainstongoingandnew

externalthreats,inparticularinthefaceoftheglobal

onslaughtofDDoSandmalwareattacks,thereby

contributingtothesafety,securityandresilience

ofthe.iedomain.

Market development and SME Internet usage and uptakeIrishSMEscontinuetoconfoundthecriticsbyremaining

off-line,whentheircustomersareonlineintheir

millionsandbuyingonlinefromabroad.

Itisnotclearwhysuchalargecohortofsmall

businessesinIrelandremaineffectivelyoffline.Even

thoseSMEswhoareonline,withwebsitesandother

digitalassetssuchasaFacebookpresence,stillcannot,

orwillnot,sellonlineortakesalesordersonline.IEDR

commissionedIgniteResearchtoconductindependent

research.Itisbecomingclearerthattheproblemisnot

oneofawareness.SMEsrespondthattheyappreciate

theimportanceofawebsite,ingeneratingawareness

ofthebusinessandingeneratingsales,yetthemajority

ofSMEssurveyedhavenote-commerceenabledtheir

websites.Theysaythatbarriersincludeperceived

complexityorcostandtheleveloftimecommitment

required.Perhapsthereisalsoareluctancetoengage

withmultiplesoftwarevendorsandanimpliedabsence

ofobviousbusinessbenefits.Itisclearthatfurther

researchisneededtoguidepolicymakersonhow

toimproveInternetusageanduptakeinthesmall

businesscommunity.

Inresponse,IEDRrecognisestheneedtoprovide

supportsandon-siteassistancetoSMEstoenable

themtoleveragethebenefitsofhavinga.ieaddressand

beingidentifiablyIrishonline.Accordingly,inadditionto

theOPTIMISEfund,theCompanycontinuedin2015to

supportitsRegistrarsinpromotingtheirwebsitebuilder

services,recognisingthatbusinessesonlyindirectly

need.iedomainnames(surveysconfirmthatthemain

reasonisforwebsiteandemailpurposes).

Outlook for 2016Ontheinternationalfront,theCompanycontinuesto

respondtodevelopmentsimpactingccTLDregistries,

inparticulartheongoingexpansionoftheglobal

namespace,by871newgTLDs(with11.2million

domainsundermanagement)bytheendof2015,

withhundredsmoregTLDsexpectedin2016,which

offerconsumersamultiplicityofchoiceindomain

extensions.Whilethesenewoptionswillundoubtedly

resultininnovationandacceleratedgrowthintheglobal

domainnamemarket,thepotentialforcybersquatters

representsachallengeforbrandmanagers,trademark

andpatentholdersandtheownersofintellectual

propertyrights.

Nationally,newregistrationgrowthin2016moderated

comparedtoquarterone2015whentheCompanyran

amajorintegratedmediacampaignpromotingthe

.iedomainas‘IdentifiablyIrish’.Nevertheless,inthe

contextofmarketstagnationinEurope,theoutcome

inthefirsthalfof2016isveryencouragingat 18,179.ie

domains,albeitareductionof3.7%comparedtothe

sameperiodin2015(18,868.iedomains).

WeanticipatethattheworkofthePolicyAdvisory

Committeewillcontinuein2016toexpandtheservices

andproductsweoffercustomers.Weexpecttolauncha

newserviceinthesecondhalfof2016whichwillmake

fadasonthevowelsofdomainnamesavailable,forthe

firsttime–veryappropriateasanIdentifiablyIrishonline

identity.Aseparatepolicychange,whenimplemented,

willunlocktheintrinsicvalueofIreland’s.iedomain

name,bypermittinganaftermarkettoallowexisting

domainholderstoselltherighttousetheir.iedomain.

WearepleasedtohaveBoardapprovaltocontinueour

investmentsin2016inarangeofprojectsdesignedto

deepenInternetawarenessanduptakeinIreland.We

willcontinuetocontroloperatingcostsinotherareas

ofthebusiness.

IwouldliketoexpressmygratitudetoourCompany

Secretaryforhisongoingsupportandcounsel,to

theChairman,andtotheBoardofDirectorsforits

support.Ithankourdedicatedstafffortheiroutstanding

contributiontothecontinuedgrowthofthe.ie

namespaceandthedevelopmentofourpoliciesand

servicestoensurethat.ieremainsIdentifiablyIrish

inanever-expandingglobalInternetecosystem.

David Curtin

ChiefExecutive

27May2016


Fair, equitable, transparentWe manage the .ie namespace to the highest standards of corporate governance and pride ourselves on honesty and objectivity in our interactions with Registrars, stakeholders and civic society.

Professor J.O. Scanlan SeanScanlanisProfessorEmeritusofElectronicEngineeringUCDandHeadoftheUCDDepartmentofElectronicandElectricalEngineering(1973-2005).HeisaLifeFellowoftheIEEE(InstituteofElectronicsandElectricalEngineering,USA)andaFellowoftheInstituteofMathematicsanditsApplications.HewasPresident,RoyalIrishAcademy(1993-1996).ProfessorScanlanhasbeenEditoroftheInternationalJournalofCircuitTheoryandApplications.HewasamemberoftheEditorialAdvisoryBoard,TransactionsonFundamentalsofElectronics,CommunicationsandComputerSciences(Japan).HeisPresident(HonorisCausa)andFoundingPresident,EuropeanCircuitsSociety.HewasBoardMember(1979-1996),DeputyChairman(1992-1996)andActingChairman(1992)ofTelecomÉireann.HewasawardedtheGoldenJubileeMedalfromthelEEECircuitsandSystemsSocietyin2000.HewasawardedtheGoldMedalbytheRoyalIrishAcademyin2011inrecognitionofhisoutstandingcontributiontotheEngineeringSciences.

Dr. Pat Frain PatFrainwastheDirectorofNovaUCD,theinnovationandtechnologytransfercentreatUniversityCollegeDublin(UCD),untilheretiredin2011.HewasresponsiblefortheplanninganddevelopmentoftheCentre,whichwasestablishedin2003withthesupportofapublic-privatepartnership.PatwasalsoanAdjunctProfessorattheUCDMichaelSmurfitGraduateSchoolofBusiness.Heisalsoinvolvedinarangeofnationalandinternationalorganisationsandinitiativesaimedatpromotinginnovationandtechnologytransfer.HeisafoundingmemberandPresidentoftheEuropeanKnowledgeTransferSociety.HewasChairoftheBoardsofProTonEuropeandAURIL(UKandIreland)andafellowandBoardmemberoftheInstituteforKnowledgeTransfer.HeisalsoamemberoftheInternationalAdvisoryBoardforIndustryandHigherEducationandoftheBoardofSciFest.HeisaphysicistbyqualificationandanalumnusoftheEU-JapanCentreforIndustrialCooperation.

Dr. Canice LambeCaniceLambeiscurrentlyChiefTechnologyOfficerwithAltify,anIrishsoftwarecompanythathelpssalesprofessionalssellsmarterandmanagebetter,usingDealmakerintelligentsoftwareandprovensalesmethodology.HewasafounderandCTOofCunavTechnologies(laterNewWorldCommerce)whichmergedwithUSCRMcompanyIQtobecomeNewWorldIQ.CanicehasalsobeenChiefProductOfficeratRockallTechnologiesandChiefTechnologyOfficeratPixAlert.Hehasalsoconsultedtoearly-stagetechnologycompaniesintheareaofproductdevelopmentandpositioning.CanicereceivedhisdegreeandPhDinComputerSciencefromTrinityCollegeDublin.

Frances Buggy FrancesBuggyisanexperiencedprogrammemanagerofsoftwareandsystemsdevelopmentprojects,R&Dmanagement,andstrategicICTinitiativesfortheEuropeanCommission,regionalgovernment,academiaandinternationalPublic/Privateconsortia.Herprivatesectorexperienceisdrawnmainlyfromtheinternationallytradedservicessectors.Shehassignificantstart-upexperiencebothwithSMEsandlargescaletechnologystart-ups.FrancesisaPrince2certifiedpractitionerofprojectmanagement–withgraduatedegreesinbothMarketingManagementandTechnology/InnovationManagementandpostgraduatequalificationsincludingtheInternationalMBA.Francesalsohasanongoingprofessionalinvolvementinthepracticeofintellectualpropertymanagement,NPD/TechnologyTransfer,andSTEMpolicydevelopment.ShehasservedonseveralprofessionalboardsandisafoundingmemberandformerChairpersonoftheIrishInternetAssociation.


BoardofDirectorsandManagement

Auditcommitteememberin2015. Bankingcommitteememberin2015.

Kevin McCarthyKevinMcCarthyretiredfromIDAIrelandinDecember2009asAreaDirectorfortheBorder,MidlandsandWestregions.KevinservedinIDAfrom1970andwasthelongestservingstaffmemberonretirement.DuringhistimeinIDAKevinwassecondedtothepostofChiefExecutivetotheTallaghtTaskForceandalsoasEnterpriseAdvisortothePolishAgencyforRegionalDevelopment.Kevin’seducationalqualificationsincludeaDiplomainBusinessStrategyfromtheIMIandanMAinInternationalRelationsfromDCU.

Mark Dobbyn MarkDobbynisaformerpartnerintheaccountancyandadvisoryfirm,KPMG,wherehehadclientresponsibilityforassuranceservicesandanumberofmanagementroles.PriortothishewasadirectorinthemanagementconsultancydivisionoftheprecursorfirmtoKPMG,specialisinginfinancialmanagementassignments.Heisadirectorofanumberofcommercialorganisations.MarkisabusinessandhistorygraduateofTrinityCollegeDublin,andaFellowoftheInstituteofCharteredAccountantsinIreland.

Fergal O’ByrneFergalO’ByrneiscurrentlyaNon-ExecutiveDirectorofSonru,anonlinevideointerviewingcompany.HeisanexperiencedInternetindustryentrepreneurwhofoundedInteractiveReturnin1998.PreviouspositionsincludetheroleofCEOoftheIrishInternetAssociation.Hehaspublishedfourbusinessbooksincluding;‘OnlineMarketingandSearchEngineEssentials’and‘10TechnologiesEveryExecutiveShouldKnow’.FergalholdsanHonoursDegreeinElectronicEngineeringfromDIT,KevinStreet,Dublin.Heis,orhasbeen,amemberoftheBoardofDirectorsof4giftsdirect.com,IGOpeople.com,WINC,CottonTreeProjectandCCDLimited.In2015hewasdelightedtobecomeanInducteeintotheIIAInternetHallofFame“forinspiringandsupportingtheInternetcommunityinIreland”.

Chief Executive

David CurtinDavidCurtinjoinedtheCompanyinNovember2002,andwasappointedinterimChiefExecutiveinOctober2003andChiefExecutiveinJanuary2004.DavidworkedforeightyearsinDublinandPariswiththeJeffersonSmurfitGroupplc.HewasChiefExecutiveofSmurfitSoftwareServices,projectmanagerfortheSmurfitGroup’sHyperionsystemsimplementation,andinternalauditorofSmurfitIreland.PriortothisheworkedforKPMGinDublinandPhiladelphia,USA.DavidisaB.CommgraduateofUCD,aFellowoftheInstituteofCharteredAccountantsandholdsafirstclasshonoursMBAfromTheMichaelSmurfitGraduateSchoolofBusiness.

Company Secretary

Jim Joyce JimJoycewasappointedSecretaryofthecompanyin2004.HewasChairmanoftheHealthInsuranceAuthorityfrom2005to2015andisaformerCompanySecretarytotheNationalDigitalResearchCentre(NDRC).JimhasbeenanactuarialconsultanttotheDepartmentofEnterprise,Trade,andEmploymentandtheIrishFinancialServicesRegulatoryAuthority(1992to2005).HewaspreviouslyExecutiveDirectorofTelecomÉireann(1984to1992).JimisaFellowoftheSocietyofActuariesinIrelandandservedasPresidentoftheSocietyfor1999/2000.


IEDomainRegistryLimited(IEDR)isanindependent,

not-for-profitorganisation,limitedbyguaranteeand

isthereforenotrequiredtocomplywiththeprovisions

ofCorporateGovernanceCodes.However,theIEDR

BoardofDirectorsiscommittedtoensuringthatbest

practiceCorporateGovernanceoperatesthroughout

theCompany.Accordingly,theBoardhasadoptedand

appliedcertainprovisionsofthecodesbeyondwhat

wouldnormallyberegardedaspractical,relevantand

appropriateforacompanyofIEDR’ssizeandnature.

TheCompany’sunitaryBoardofDirectorsiscomprised

ofeightindependentNon-ExecutiveDirectors,supported

bytwosub-committees:theAuditCommitteeandthe

BankingCommittee.Directorsareappointedinitiallyto

theBoardforathreeyearterm:thereafterDirectorscan

seekre-electionforafurtherthreeyearterm.Attheend

ofacontinuoustermofsixyearsDirectorsarerequired

toretireandre-electioncanonlybesoughtafterabreak

inserviceofthreeyears.

TheBoardofDirectorsmeetssixtimesperannum

toconsiderarangeofCompanymatters,including

reviewingthemanagementaccounts,monitoring

registrationandnon-renewalrates,discussingstrategy

andagreeingonthefuturedirectionoftheCompany.The

Boardalsoreceivesregularupdates,betweenmeetings

ifnecessary,onarangeofmattersincludingbusiness,

financial,legal,regulatoryandcorporateaffairs.

TheIEDRChairmanensuresthattheNon-Executive

DirectorsareappointedtotheBoardfromarange

ofdifferentprofessionalbackgrounds.Thisensures

diversityoftheBoardwhichinturnmeansthatmembers

caneffectivelyreachouttoabroadrangeofstakeholder

groups.DiversityoftheBoardalsoensuresabetter

understandingofthedifferentrequirementsofvarious

stakeholders.

TheIEDRChairmanisresponsibleforensuringthat

allNon-ExecutiveDirectorshavethenecessary

knowledgeandexperiencerequiredtodischargetheir

responsibilities.AppraisaloftheBoard’sperformanceis

animportantcontrol,aimedatimprovingeffectiveness,

maximisingstrengthsandtacklingweaknesses.

ComRegcommissionedanindependentthird-party

duediligencereviewoftheCompany’sCorporate

Governance,asaninputintotheprocessofdevelopinga

RegulatoryFrameworkfor.ie.Theconclusionspublished

initsformalResponsetotheConsultationPaper08/48

wereverycomplimentaryofthehighstandardsof

CorporateGovernanceatIEDR.

Directors’ responsibilitiesTheBoardofDirectorsisthecustodianoftheCompany’s

valuesanditslongtermvision.TheBoardalsoprovides

strategicdirectionandguidancefortheCompany.

TheDirectorsoftheCompanycarryouttheirfiduciary

responsibilitiesinaccordancewiththebestpractice

CorporateGovernancecodesandprinciples.Allof

theDirectorsareindependentandNon-Executive.

InaccordancewiththeMemorandumandArticlesof

AssociationoftheCompany,theDirectorsdonothave

abeneficialinterestinthemembers’funds,reserves

ortheannualprofitsoftheCompany.

TheDirectorsareresponsibleforensuringthatthe

financialstatementshavebeenpreparedinaccordance

withtheCompaniesAct2014andFinancialReporting

Standards,collectivelyknownasthe“relevant

financialreportingframework”.TheDirectorsarealso

responsiblefortakingsuchstepsasarereasonablyopen

tothemtosafeguardtheassetsoftheCompanyandto

preventanddetectfraudandotherirregularities.Other

materialfinancialdecisionsreservedforBoardapproval

includeinvestments,capitalprojectsandanybank

borrowingfacilities.

TheDirectorsarealsoresponsibleforothertasks

includingmonitoringtheChiefExecutiveOfficer,

overseeingstrategy,monitoringrisks,controlsystems

andgovernance,monitoringthehumancapitalaspect

oftheCompany(specifically,successionplanning,

trainingandremuneration)managingpotential

conflictsofinterestandensuringthatthereis

effectivecommunicationthroughouttheCompany.


CorporateGovernanceCorporategovernanceisakeyfocusoftheBoardofDirectorsandManagementatIEDRasitdirectsthephilosophy,practices,cultureandoverallsuccessoftheCompany.

TheAuditCommitteeoperatesunderwrittentermsof

referenceagreedbytheBoardwhicharereviewedona

regularbasis.TheAuditCommitteeisappointedbythe

BoardfromtheNon-ExecutiveDirectorsoftheCompany

andconsistsofnotlessthanthreemembers,atleast

oneofwhomhasthe“relevantfinancialexperience”.

TheChairmanoftheCommitteeisMrMarkDobbynwho

isaFellowoftheInstituteofCharteredAccountantsin

Ireland.

TheCommitteeisauthorisedbytheBoardtoinvestigate

anyactivitywithinitstermsofreference.Itmayalso

seekanyinformationitrequiresfromanyemployee

andallemployeesaredirectedtoco-operatewithany

requestmadebytheCommittee.TheCommitteehasthe

authoritytoobtainoutsidelegalorotherindependent

professionaladviceandtosecuretheattendanceof

outsiderswithrelevantexperienceandexpertiseifit

considersthisnecessary.

Statement from the Audit Committee ChairmanThefinancialreporting

frameworkthathasbeen

appliedinthepreparation

ofthefinancialstatements

istheCompaniesAct2014

andFRS102“TheFinancial

ReportingStandardapplicable

intheUKandRepublicofIreland”(FRS102)issuedby

theFinancialReportingCouncilandpromulgatedbythe

InstituteofCharteredAccountantsinIreland.Theseare

thefirstfinancialstatementsthatcomplywithFRS102.

TheroleoftheAuditCommitteeisimportantinreviewing

theeffectivenessoftheCompany’sinternalcontrolsto

provideassuranceontheCompany’sfinancialreporting

processandcompliancewithalllegalandregulatory

requirements.TheCommitteewillcontinuetokeepthe

riskmanagementandinternalcontrolframeworkunder

reviewtoensuretheintegrityofthefinancialreporting

processinachangingenvironment.

ThedutiesandkeyresponsibilitiesoftheCommitteeare:

� toconsidertheappointmentoftheexternal

auditors,tomakerecommendationstothe

Boardabouttheauditfeeandanyquestions

ofresignationordismissal.

� todiscusswiththeexternalauditorsbeforethe

statutoryauditcommencesthenatureandscope

oftheauditandtoreviewtheauditplan.

� toreviewtheannualfinancialstatementsbefore

submissiontotheBoardandfocuson:

� criticalaccountingpoliciesanddecisionsrequiring

asignificantelementofjudgementandany

changesinaccountingpoliciesandpractices

� compliancewithaccountingstandards,legal

requirementsandregulations

� majorjudgmentalareasandmajororunusual

transactionsandhowtheyaredisclosed

� companypolicyandpracticewithregardto

insuranceandinvestmentriskmitigationand

controls

� significantadjustmentstothefinancial

statementsasaresultoftheexternalaudit

� anyproblemsandreservationsarisingfromthe

auditandanymatterstheauditormaywishto

discuss(intheabsenceofmanagementwhere

appropriate)

� toreviewtheexternalauditor’smanagementletter

andmanagement’sresponse.

� tokeepunderreviewtheeffectivenessofinternal

controlsystemsandofproceduresforstaffraising

mattersinconfidence.

� toreporttotheBoardofDirectorsonhowithas

dischargeditsresponsibilities.

ItistheCommittee’sviewthatduringtheyearithas

dischargeditsdutiesandkeyresponsibilities.

Mark Dobbyn

ChairmanoftheAuditCommittee

27May2016


TheAuditCommitteeTheCompany’sAuditCommitteeisresponsibletotheBoardofDirectorsfortheco-ordinationandoversightofthefinancialreportingprocess,theexternalauditfunction,thesystemofinternalfinancialcontrols,regulatorycomplianceandallmattersinrelationtothelegalintegrityoftheCompany.

TheInternetisagloballydistributedcomputernetworkcomprisedofmanyvoluntarilyinterconnectedautonomousnetworks.Assuch,Internetgovernanceinvolvesmanydifferentstakeholders.

Who runs the Internet?“Internetgovernanceisconductedbyadecentralizedandinternationalmulti-stakeholdernetworkofinterconnectedautonomousgroupsdrawingfromcivilsociety,theprivatesector,governments,theacademicandresearchcommunities,andnationalandinternationalorganizations.TheyworkcooperativelyfromtheirrespectiverolestocreatesharedpoliciesandstandardsthatmaintaintheInternet’sglobalinteroperabilityforthepublicgood.”

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

Theinfographicontheoppositepageillustratesthiscomplexity.

ICANNICANNwasformedin1998.HeadquarteredinLosAngeles,California,itisanot-for-profitpartnershipofpeoplefromallovertheworlddedicatedtokeepingtheInternetsecure,stableandinteroperable.ItpromotescompetitionanddevelopspolicyontheInternet’suniqueidentifiers.ICANNdoesnotcontrolcontentontheInternet.Itcannotstopspamanditdoesn’tdealwithaccesstotheInternet.ButthroughitscoordinationroleoftheInternet’snamingsystem,itdoeshaveanimportantimpactontheexpansionandevolutionoftheInternet.ICANN’sroleistooverseethehugeandcomplexinterconnectednetworkofuniqueidentifiersthatallowcomputersontheInternettofindoneanother.

ICANNhasexternalaswellasinternalaccountabilities.Externally,ICANNisanorganisationincorporatedunderthelawoftheStateofCaliforniaintheUnitedStates,soitcanbesuedinCourt.ICANNisalsoanon-profitpublicbenefitcorporationanditsdirectorsarelegallyresponsibleforupholdingtheirdutiesundercorporatelaw.Internally,ICANNisaccountabletothecommunitythroughitsBylaws,andtherepresentativecompositionoftheICANNBoardfromacrosstheglobe.

GovernmentscanparticipateviatheGovernmentAdvisoryCommittee(GAC).AttheICANN52meetinginSingaporeinFebruary2015,theGACwelcomedIreland,

KazakhstanandMauritaniaasnewGACMembers.MembershipofthisinfluentialcommitteewasamajormilestoneforIrelandIncin2015,givenIreland’simportanceasane-commercehubforEurope.

InordertoallowtheUSgovernmenttostepbackfromitsroleinrelationtotheglobalInternet,theNationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministration(NTIA)requestedthatICANN“conveneamulti-stakeholderprocesstodevelopaplantotransitiontheUSgovernmentstewardshiprole”withregardtotheIANAFunctionsandrelatedrootzonemanagement.AttheICANN55meetinginMarrakechinMarch2016,aplanwasagreedforICANNtoenddirectUSgovernmentoversightcontrolofadministeringtheInternetandcommitpermanentlytothemodelofglobalmulti-stakeholderism.TheplanincludesanIANAtransitionproposalalongsideaproposaltoimproveICANN’saccountabilitymeasures.

Internet stakeholders and policy development for .ieIEDRmirrorstheinternationalmulti-stakeholderphilosophyandprincipleswithinitsstructuresandhasadoptedabottom-up,consensusdriven,andconsultativeapproachtoall.ienamespacepolicymatters.The10-stepPolicyDevelopmentProcess(PDP)waspublishedinMay2012andprovidesfortheactiveparticipationandinvolvementofaPolicyAdvisoryCommittee(PAC).ThemandateofthePACistoadvisetheBoardoftheIEDRonmattersofpolicyanditsimplementation,assetoutinthePACTermsofReference.

The legislative framework in IrelandThelegislativeframeworkinIrelandiswelldeveloped.TheCommunicationsRegulation(Amendment)Act,2007cameintoforcein2007.ThisActessentiallytransfersthepowerspreviouslyavailabletotheMinisterforCommunicationsundertheElectronicCommerceAct,2000(butneverexercisedbyhim)toComReg,withsomelimitedbutimportantamendmentsandadditions.

Asaninputintotheprocessofdevelopingaregulatoryframeworkfor.ie,ComReglaunchedapublicconsultationprocessonthe.ienamespaceandpublisheditsformalResponsetotheConsultationPaper08/48.ComReg’sreleasestatedthat:


InternetGovernanceNooneperson,company,organisationorgovernmentrunstheInternet.

UNIVERSITIES AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

IndividualsOrganisations

BusinessesGovernments

Content and service creators

USERS

IETFIAB

IRTFISOC chapters

Telecommunication providersInternet service providers

Network operatorsRoot servers

Internet exchange pointsHosting providers

Domain name registriesccTLDsgTLDs

INFRASTRUCTURE

Governments and parliamentsMultilateral institutionsITUICANN

NamesNumbersProtocols

IANA

INTERNETECOSYSTEM

APTLDLACTLD

AfTLDCENTR ccNSO

GNSOGAC

ALACSSAC

RSSACASO

ccTLD regional organisations

ICANN

NAMING COMMUNITY

W3CITU-TIETFIRTFIABIEEE

STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS

EuroDIGNetMundial

IGFRegional and local IGFs

Other global multistakeholder initiatives

INTERNET SOCIETY

RIRs

RIPEAFRINICLACNICAPNICARINNUMBERING COMMUNITY

TECHNICAL LAYER

INTERNET GOVERNANCE ARENAS

� ComRegwill,bywayofregulation,appointIEDRastheauthorityauthorisedtoregister.iedomainnamesinaccordancewithSection32(4)(a)oftheActof2007.

� IEDRwillsetupandmaintainaPolicyAdvisoryCommitteerepresentativeofallstakeholderswithafocusonmoretransparentpolicydevelopment.

� IEDRwillcontinuetoadoptthe“managedapproach”to.ieregistrationstoensurecontinuedprotectionfor.iedomainnameholdersandconsumers.

Inthiscontext,IEDRlooksforwardtoacontinuingeffectiveworkingrelationshipwithComReg.

Internet Governance Forum (IGF)TheInternetGovernanceForum(IGF)wasestablishedbytheUnitedNationsfollowingtheWorldSummitontheInformationSociety(WSIS)in2006.Sincethen,ithasbecometheleadingglobalmulti-stakeholderforumonpublicpolicyissuesrelatedtoInternetgovernance.Itsmandateinitiallyrevolvedaround1. CriticalInternetresources,2. Access,3. Diversity,4. Opennessand5. Security.Itfunctionsasanopen,multi-stakeholder,consultativebodywithaninteractiveandparticipatorystructure.Itservestobringpeopletogetherfromvariousstakeholdergroupsasequals,indiscussionsonpublicpolicyissuesrelatingtotheInternet.Whilethereisnonegotiatedoutcome,theIGFinformsandinspiresthosewithpolicy-makingpowerinboththepublicandprivatesectors.

TheUN’sten-yearreviewofWorldSummitonInformationSociety(WSIS)concludedsuccessfullywiththeadoptionoftheWSIS+10Resolutionon16December2015.WhileWSIS+10reachedroughconsensusondevelopment,security,andhumanrightsissues,therewasnoconsensusonthetopicofInternetgovernance–ashappenedtenyearsagoattheWSISSummitinTunis.Themaindivisionbetweentheinter-governmentalandthemulti-stakeholderapproachestoInternetgovernanceremainsalive.Toaddressthisdivision,WSIS+10reaffirmedthreecoreelementsofthe‘Tuniscompromise’:

First,itextendedtheIGFmandatefor10yearsandreaffirmeditsunderlyingarchitecture,meaningthatInternetgovernanceisaddressedundertheUNumbrella,butinamulti-stakeholdermanner.Second,itretainedtherolesandresponsibilitiesofthestakeholdersasoutlinedintheTunisAgenda.Third,itmaintainedtheelementofambiguityaroundanenhancedcooperationarrangement,whichallowsfordifferentinterpretations.AnewelementistherequestforthestrengtheningoftheIGF.

AttheannualIGFmeetingdelegatesdiscuss,exchangeinformationandsharegoodpracticeswitheachother.TheIGFfacilitatesacommonunderstandingofhowtomaximiseInternetopportunitiesandaddressrisksandchallengesthatarise.Themainthemeofthe10thannualIGFmeetinginJoãoPessoa,BrazilinNovember2015was:‘EvolutionofInternetGovernance:EmpoweringSustainableDevelopment’.


AcronymsAFRINIC InternetNumbersRegistryforAfrica

AfTLD AfricanTopLevelDomainAssociation

ALAC At-LargeAdvisoryCommittee

APNIC AsiaPacicInternetAddressRegistry

APTLD AsiaPacicTopLevelDomainNameAssociation

ARIN AmericanRegistryforInternetNumbers

ASO AddressSupportingOrganization

ccNSO CountryCodeNamesSupportingOrganization

ccTLD countrycodetop-leveldomain

CENTR AssociationofEuropeanccTLDRegistries

EuroDIG EuropeanDialogueonInternetGovernance

GAC GovernmentalAdvisoryCommittee

GNSO GenericNamesSupportingOrganization

gTLD generictop-leveldomain

IAB InternetArchitectureBoard

IANA InternetAssignedNumbersAuthority

ICANN InternetCorporationforAssignedNamesandNumbers

IEEE InstituteofElectricalandElectronicsEngineers

IETF InternetEngineeringTaskForce

IGF InternetGovernanceForum

IRTF InternetResearchTaskForce

ISOC TheInternetSociety

ITU InternationalTelecommunicationUnion

ITU-T ITU’s TelecommunicationStandardizationSector

LACNIC LatinAmericanandCaribbeanInternetAddressesRegistry

LACTLD LatinAmericanandCaribbeanAssociationofccTLDs

RIPE RéseauxIPEuropéens

RIRs Regionalinternetregistries

RSSAC RootServerSystemAdvisoryCommittee

SSAC SecurityandStabilityAdvisoryCommittee

W3C WorldWideWebConsortium

InJuly2014,IEDRestablishedaPolicyAdvisory

Committee(PAC)toconsiderandprovideadvicetothe

IEDRBoardofDirectorsonpolicychangerequests.

ThePACoperatesunderspecificTermsofReference

andfollowsthisPDP.Thereisfulltransparencyon

themattersdiscussedanddecisionsreachedandthe

minutesofthePACmeetingsarepublishedontheIEDR

website(https://www.iedr.ie/p30/policy-development/).

ThemembersofthePACarestakeholderswithan

interestinthe.ienamespaceanditspolicies.The

membershipincludesrepresentativesfromeligible

organisations,includingthe.ieaccreditedRegistrars,

theDepartmentofCommunications,Enterprise

Ireland,theIrishInternetAssociation,theSmallFirms

Association,theLawSociety,theInternetService

ProvidersAssociationofIreland,theDepartmentof

Enterprise,andtheAssociationofPatentandTrademark

Attorneys.

TheinauguralmeetingofthePACwasheldinFebruary

2015,whereanumberofpolicychangerequestswere

considered,includingtheremovaloflongstanding

restrictionson:

� Oneandtwoletter.iedomainnames.

� InternationalisedDomainNames(IDNs).

� There-saleoftherighttousea.iedomain

(secondarymarket).

Throughout2015additionalpolicychangerequestswere

consideredinrelationto:

� Permittingtheregistrationof.iedomainsthat

correspondtogeographicplacenameswithinthe

islandofIreland.

� Permittingtheregistrationof.iedomainsthat

correspondtotop-leveldomainextensions(TLDs).

� Permittingtheunrestricteduseoftheterm

“university”in.iedomains.

� Modifyingthe“PersonalName”registrationpolicy,

topermitapplicationsforabbreviatedformsofan

applicant’sfirstname.

Throughout2015,thePAChasmetonabi-monthlybasis

todiscussthevariouspolicychangeproposalssubmitted

forconsiderationandhasworkeddiligentlytobuild

consensus.ThePACalsoworkedtoidentifythemost

appropriatereleasemechanism,forconsumersand

thechannel,whenintroducingchanges.

Ofparticularnoteisthesuccessfulintroductionofone

andtwoletter.iedomainswhichwerereleasedunder

aphasedprocesswhichbeganinNovember2015.It

wasessentialtohaveafairprocesswhenintroducing

highlydesirable,shortnamestothemarketforthefirst

time.Whileothercountrieschosea‘firstpastthepost’

basisorlotterybasis,theconsensusinIrelandwas

forathree-phaserelease,torespectthelegalrights

oftrademarkholdersandwithanauctionprocessto

determinetheoutcomewherethereweremultiple

applicants.Thethreephaseswere;Sunrise,Landrush

andthen,GeneralAvailability.

ThePACisoperatingwellandexperiencingstronglevels

ofengagementfromitsmemberstobuildconsensus

onpolicychanges.Itisanticipatedthatanumberof

enhancementstothe.ienamespacewillcontinuetobe

discussedandimplementedthroughout2016,inline

withtheIEDR’sPolicyDevelopmentProcess.


PolicyDevelopmentPolicydevelopmentforthe.ienamespacefollowsabottom-up,consensusdrivenandconsultativeapproach,setoutinIEDR’s10-stepPolicyDevelopmentProcess(PDP),firstintroducedinMay2012andpublishedonitswebsite(https://www.iedr.ie/p30/policy-development/).

https://www.iedr.ie/p30/policy-development/


TheCompanyprioritisesthevaluesoffairness,

equityandtransparencyinalldealingswithourkey

stakeholders,includingcustomers(Registrars),domain

holders(registrants),employeesoftheCompanyandthe

localInternetcommunity.

Registrars, registrants and the local Internet communityThroughitsmembershipsandsponsorshipofindustry

awardsandindustryevents,theCompanyprovidesa

modestleveloffinancialsupporttothelocalInternet

community.In2015theCompanysponsoredtheBT

YoungScientistandTechnologyExhibition,theDigital

MediaAwards(DMA),theSmallFirmsAssociation

(SFA)Awards,theDANIAwards,theSmartBusiness

Show,DigitalDNA,theWebAwards,theSMEAwards

andwastheheadlinesponsoroftheIrishInternet

Association(IIA)dot.ieNetVisionaryAwardsforthe

fifthconsecutiveyear.

In2011,theCompanyestablishedOPTIMISE,IEDR’s

e-CommerceandWebsiteDevelopmentFundaimed

atmicro,smallandmediumindigenousenterprises.

TheFundwasofferedagainin2015toafurtherfifteen

.iewebsiteownerswhobenefitedfrompractical

consultationandimplementationofe-commerce

functionsontheirwebsites.In2015,theFundwas

extendedtoprovidededicatedmasterclasses,designed

toinformandeducatetheSMEbusinessownerin

specificareasofonlinemarketingsuchasanalytics,

socialmediaandadvertising.

In2012,theCompanyestablishedaCo-Funded

MarketingFundaimedatprovidingfinancialassistance

toourcustomers(Registrars)tosupporttheireffortsto

promotethe.ienamespace.TheIEDRprovidesfinancial

assistanceofupto50%ofthemarketingcostsincurred

byRegistrars.

IEDRhasprovidedfree.iedomainnameregistrations

to5,453registeredcharities,inco-operationwitha

numberofouraccreditedRegistrars.Domainnames

areprovidedfreeofchargetothoseorganisationswhich

areregisteredascharitiesandhaveavalidCHYnumber

issuedbytheRevenueCommissioners.

EmployeesTheCompanyaimstobeagoodemployerinallrespects.

TheCompany’sStaffHandbooksetsouttheHRpolicies

andprocedures,andisprovidedtoallnewemployees

aspartoftheirinduction.TheStaffHandbookalso

includeswhistle-blowerprovisionsandproceduresfor

staffraisingmattersinconfidence,includingproviding

directlinesofcommunicationtoBoardmembers.IEDR

operatesapensionschemeforthebenefitofallfull-time

employees.TheCompanyalsohasaSafetyStatementin

accordancewiththerelevantlegislation.

Environmental awarenessIEDRcontinuouslyworkstoreduceitscarbonfootprint

byadoptingsomeoftheprinciplesofGreenIT.This

isapparentfromthehighavailabilityinitiativesinour

datacentrewherewehaveinvestedinenergyefficient

hardwareandsoftware(VMware),whichhasreduced

ourenergyconsumptionthroughrationalisationofour

servicesandservers.

Furthermore,ourback-officerecyclingprogramme

ensuresthatalltechnicalhardwareisrecycledinan

environmentallyresponsiblemanner.AspartofIEDR’s

awarenessoftheneedtosustainnaturalresources,

employeesimplementtheCompany’srecyclingpolicyin

theappropriatemanner.


CorporateSocialResponsibility(CSR)OneofthecoremandatesoftheIEDRistosupportandservetheneedsofthelocalInternetcommunity.TheDirectorsandmanagementofIEDRstrivetobetransparent,accountableandtobalancetherightsandresponsibilitiesofallstakeholders.IEDRunderstandstheimportanceofactivecommunicationandengagementwithourinternalandexternalstakeholders.

1

Valuing our customerWe put the needs of our customers first in everything we do.Continuous improvement of customer service is a vital step in making .ie a domain that our customers value, appreciate and use.

BasedinDunLaoghaire,Co.Dublin,IEDRhasatotalof

19employees.ThisincludestheCEO,DavidCurtin,who

issupportedbyamanagementteamoftwo:Customer

OperationsManager,OonaghMcCutcheonandTechnical

ServicesManager,MickBegley.

Customer Services TeamsWhileweareorganisedforfunctionalexcellence,IEDR

operatesamatrixorganisationstructuretoensurethat

allteamswithinIEDRarefocussedinthedirectionofthe

customer.IEDRbelievesthatthisapproachcandeliver

significantbenefitstotheRegistryanditscustomers,

includingimprovedcustomerexperience,consistent

engagementwithcustomersovertime,andincreased

end-customerloyalty.

Accounting and FinanceThreestaffmembersmakeuptheFinanceTeam(Patrick

Bates–FinancialController,BrianTaite–CustomerService

AdministratorandMelissaNangle–OfficeAdministrator).

TheFinanceTeamprovidesaccountingservicesand

financialsupporttotheCompanyanditscustomers.

Registration ServicesTheRegistrationServicesTeamhasfourstaffmembers

(PaulShortt–RSSupervisor,SarahKeegan,Sandra

SantoandDamianByrne–RSAdministrators).TheRS

Teamisresponsibleforensuringthatall.ieapplications

frompotentialregistrantsareauthenticatedwithareal

andsubstantiveconnectionwiththeislandofIrelandand

avalidclaimtothename.

Outreach and PromotionDonalONuallainlooksaftertheCompany’soutreach

initiativesandworkswithouraccreditedRegistrarson

marketingandpromotionofthe.ienamespace.

Business DevelopmentAndrewConnollyworkswithourexistingaccredited

Registrarsonbusinessdevelopmentandgrowth

opportunities.AlanFinneranlooksafterfuturebusiness

development,workingonoutreachandexpandingthe

Registrarbase.

Technical Services

Application Support and Development (ASD)

ASDhastwostaffmembers(RobinSpiteriandMario

Kral).ASDisresponsiblefortheongoingcustomer

supportofapplicationsandtoolsanddevelopingand

implementingneworupgradedsolutionsforinternal

andexternalcustomers.

Network Operations Centre (NOC)

TheNOCTeamhasthreestaffmembers(PaulDuffy,

JanWidelandMickGeraghty).NOCmanages,controls

andmonitorsIEDR’snetworksandinfrastructure.

Theoverallfunctionistomaintainoptimalnetwork

operationsacrossavarietyofplatformsand

communicationschannels.

Front row, L-R: AlanFinneran,OonaghMcCutcheon,MickBegley,DavidCurtin,PatrickBates.Middle row, L-R: AndrewConnolly,SandraSanto,PaulShortt,RobinSpiteri,DamianByrne,SarahKeegan,MelissaNangle.Back row, L-R: MarioKral,MickGeraghty,DonalONuallain,BrianTaite,JanWidel,PaulDuffy.


InternalOperations

IEDRoperatesamanagedregistrymodelwherebyall

newregistrantsmustproveaclaimtotheirdesired

domainnameandaconnectiontoIreland.Thismodel

meansthatonlythosewhohaveavalidclaimtoa

particular.iedomainnamecanregisterit.Italsomeans

thattheRegistryknowsthedetailsofwhoisbehind

each.iedomainregistrationandbyextensioneach

.iewebsite.Thisprovidesthe.ienamespacewithits

integrity,andwhencombinedwiththerequirementfor

everyregistranttohaveaconnectionwithIreland,makes

.ieanidentifiablyIrishdomainname.Thesepolicies

contrastwithothergTLDregistrymodelslike.comor

.euwherenoclaimtothedomainnameisrequiredor

verifiedduringregistration.

Theseverificationchecksatthepointofregistration

meanthatthe.ienamespacehasfewerintellectual

propertydisputes,lesscybercrimeorcybersquatting

andminimalincidencesofcreditcardfraud.There

isalsolittleevidenceofillegal,explicitorimmoral

contentappearingon.iewebsites.IEDRco-operates

fullywithlawenforcementagencies,regulatorybodies

andtherelevantauthoritiesinthesematters,inthe

publicinterest.TheCompany’smanagedregistrymodel

ensuresthatsuchinterventionsareminimal.

Attheendof2015therewere210,839.iedomains

registeredintotal.Thepublisheddatabaseis208,928

whenunpublishedsuspendeddomainsareexcluded.

Thiswasa6.6%increasecomparedtothetotalnumber

ofregistereddomainsattheendof2014,anda36.1%

increaseoverthefiveyearperiodsince2010.

Thisincreasewasfuelledby35,225new.iedomain

registrations–a13.4%yearonyearincreasecompared

tothe2014,andthehighestrecordednumbersince

2011.Furthermore,netadditions(new.iedomain

registrationslessnon-renewed.iedomainregistrations)

tothe.iedatabasewerealsoup,with12,929in2015

comparedto8,730in2014,ayearonyearincreaseof

48.1%.Thisisthehighestrecordednetincreasesince

2011.

Thecontinuedadditionofnewlyregistereddomains

meansthatmoreIrishpeoplenowhavea.ieweb

addressthaneverbefore.Thisisalsoastrongindicator

ofIreland’sgrowingonlinepopulationandthedemand

foranationalnamespacewhichprovidesanIrishidentity

inaglobalonlineenvironment.


FrontlineCustomerServicesTheCustomerServicesTeamisresponsibleforauthenticatingtheclaimtothenameandconnectionwiththeislandofIrelandforallnew.iedomainregistrations.Theyalsoassistcustomersinmanagingtheir.iedomainportfoliosbyauthorisingdomainmodificationsandensuringtheefficiencyofIEDR’sautomatedself-servicesystems.Theteamhandledover35,000newregistrationrequestsduring2015.

The.iedomainregistrybrokenewground

inQ12015,passingthemilestoneof

200,000registereddomainsforthefirsttime.

Limerick-basedactionadventurecamp,

www.BasecampAdventurePark.iewas

identifiedasthe200,000thregistered

.iedomainname.

PicturedatBasecampActionAdventureParkinCoLimericktocelebratetheregistrationofthe200,000th.iedomainnameare(l-r)DonalONuallain,HeadofPromotions,PRandMarketingatIEDomainRegistry(IEDR),WayneSlattery,OwnerandManagingDirectoratBasecampActionAdventureParkandEamonRheinisch,KeyAccountManager,LetsHost.

http://www.BasecampAdventurePark.ie

Who is registering .ie domains?IEDRidentifiestheclassificationofall.ieregistrants

atthetimeofregistration,whichprovidesvaluable

informationonwhoisregistering.iedomains.Atthe

endof2015,almost78.5%ofdomainsinthe.iedomain

registrywereregisteredbycorporatebodies(e.g.public

orprivatecompanies)orsoletraders.

The.iedatabaserecordsinformationonthedifferent

domainnamesbeingregistered.Allregistrationsare

brokendownintoeightdifferentregistrantclassesand

elevendifferentcategoriesofdomainnames.Chart1

representstheclassofregistrant.Table1combinesthis

datawiththecategoryofdomainnameregisteredinto

amatrixformatandindicatesthatthebusinesssector

continuestobethelargestclassofregistrantwithbody

corporatesat54.34%(2014–54.53%)andsoletradersat

24.09%(2014–24.82%).Corporateandbusinessnames

accountforjustunderhalfofallcategoriesofdomains

namesregistered.

Chart 1: Total .ie domains registered at 31 December 2015 by class of registrant

Body Corporate

Constitutional Body

Discretionary Applicant

Natural Person

School/EducationalInstitution Name

Sole Trader

Statutory Body

Unincorporated Association

114,571

174

8,263

10,085

3,669

50,784

3,963

19,330

54.34%

24.09%

1.88%9.17%

4.78%1.74%

3.92%0.08%

Body Corporate

Constitutional Body

Discretionary Applicant

Natural Person

School/EducationalInstitution Name

Sole Trader

Statutory Body

Unincorporated Association

114,571

174

8,263

10,085

3,669

50,784

3,963

19,330

54.34%

24.09%

1.88%9.17%

4.78%1.74%

3.92%0.08%


Table 1: All .ie domain names registered at 31 December 2015 analysed by class of registrant and category of .ie domain name registered

As at 31 December 2015 Class of Registrant

Category of Domain Names Bod

yC

orpo

rate

(L

td,P

LC,

Com

pany

)

Sole

Tra

der

Uni

ncor

pora

ted

Asso

ciat

ion

Nat

ural

Per

son

Dis

cret

iona

ry

Appl

ican

t

Stat

utor

yB

ody

Scho

ol/

Educ

atio

nal

Inst

itutio

n

Con

stitu

tiona

lB

ody

Gra

nd T

otal

Gra

nd T

otal

%

Discretionary Name 47,784 18,337 6,602 4,673 8,263 2,723 1,352 62 89,796 42.59%

Corporate Name 48,768 1 1 48,770 23.13%

Registered Business Name 10,912 31,185 4,153 46,250 21.94%

Unincorporated Association Name 8,444 8,444 4.01%

Registered Trade Mark Name 6,581 221 72 90 16 12 6 6,998 3.32%

Personal Name 5,090 5,090 2.41%

School/Educational Institution Name 2,280 2,280 1.08%

State Agency Name 1,148 32 1,180 0.56%

Personal Trading Name 928 928 0.44%

Publication Name 526 113 58 76 25 74 872 0.41%

Politician’s Name 231 231 0.11%

Grand Total 114,571 50,784 19,330 10,085 8,263 3,963 3,669 174 210,839 100.00%

54.34% 24.09% 9.17% 4.78% 3.92% 1.88% 1.74% 0.08% 100.00%

Geographical analysis of the .ie databaseThetotalnumberofregistered.iedomainstoaddresses

ontheislandofIrelandattheendof2015stoodat191,573

–a6.37%increasefromthetotalattheendof2014,

andaccountingforjustunder91%ofallregistered

.iedomains.

Ofthosedomainsregisteredtoaddressesontheisland

ofIreland,98.4%aretoaddressesinIreland,with1.6%

registeredtoaddressesinNorthernIreland.Thisis

despitethefactthatNorthernIrelandaccountsforover

28%oftheisland’spopulationandcouldbeattributed

tothefactthatthe.co.ukextensionisthedominant

extensioninthisjurisdiction.

Thetotalnumberofregistered.iedomainstoaddresses

outsideoftheislandofIrelandattheendof2015stood

at19,266–a6.4%increasefromthetotalattheendof

2014,andaccountingforjustover9%ofallregistered

.iedomains.

Newregistrationsfromaddressesoutsideof

Irelandnumbered2,295,a21.9%increasein2014’s

figures,andaccountingforjustunder7%ofallnew

registrations.

Chart2providesabreakdownofthelocationsfrom

which.iedomainsareregistered.Unsurprisingly,90.87%

of.iedomainsareregisteredtotheislandofIreland.

Chart3analysesthe.ie

databaseonacountyby

countybasisshowingthe

totalnumberofdomainsper

county,thepercentagespitof

thetotal.iedatabaseandthe

numberofdomainsper1,000

population.TheDomainProfile

ReportpublishedbyIEDRin

July2015providesadditional

analysis.

Dublinhasthehighestnumber

of.iedomainregistrationsat

90,223,representing47.1%of

the.iedatabase,despiteonly

accountingfor19.9%ofthe

populationoftheislandof

Ireland.Corkisthesecond

highestwith16,228or8.5%,

whichismoreinlinewithits

population,whichaccountsfor

8.1%oftheisland’spopulation.

Intermsofdomainsper1,000

population,Dublinleadsthe

waywith71,followedby

Carlowwith52,Wicklowwith

48andKildarewith39.


Chart 2: Location breakdown of the .ie database

InternationalTotal Number of Registered Domains

19,266% Share9.13%

Island of IrelandTotal Number of Registered Domains

191,573% Share90.87%

Northern IrelandTotal Number of Registered Domains

3,087% Share1.61%

IrelandTotal Number of Registered Domains

188,486% Share98.39%

Chart 4: accredited Registrars – concentration of market share December 2015

Top 6

Next 27

Next 78

73%

19%

7%

.ie accredited Registrar communityAnaccredited.ieRegistrar

isacompanyauthorised

byIEDRtoactasanagent

onbehalfofregistrants

(customers)whoneeda

.iewebsiteand/oremail

address.Theyareusually

hostingproviderswhooperate

acrossanumberofdifferent

businesssectors,offering

awiderangeofservicesto

theirtargetmarkets.Most

accreditedRegistrarswill

offer.iedomainsaspartofa

bundleofservices(hosting,

email,storage,website

builderetc.)usuallyforan

ongoingmonthlyfee.Links

tomanyofouraccredited.ie

Registrars’websitescanbe

foundontheIEDRwebsiteat

https://www.iedr.ie/register-

a-domain/accredited-

registrar-list/.

Attheendof2015,IEDRhad

111accreditedRegistrars,

whoaccountfor98.7%ofall

domainnamesregisteredin

thedatabase(Chart4).The

top6accreditedRegistrars

(thosewithaportfolioofmore

than5,000domains)andthe

top33(thosewithmorethan

500domains)accountfor

73%and92%respectivelyof

theentire.iedatabase.Direct

registrants(thosecustomers

whodonotregisterviaan

accreditedRegistrar)account

foronly1.3%ofthedatabase.

35,225new.iedomains

wereregisteredin2015and

theRegistrarcommunity

generatedover99%ofthese

registrationswiththetop5

Registrarsaccountingfor

29,226(83%).


• Co. Limerick• 5,441• 2.84%• 28

• Co. Longford• 841• 0.44%• 22

• Co. Louth• 4,228• 2.21%• 34

• Co. Mayo• 3,120• 1.63%• 24 • Co. Meath

• 6,495• 3.39%• 35

• Co. Monaghan• 1,301• 0.68%• 22

• Co. O�aly• 1,552• 0.81%• 20

• Co. Roscommon• 1,448• 0.76%• 23

• Co. Sligo• 2,122• 1.11%• 32

• Co. Tipperary• 3,275• 1.71%• 21

• Co. Tyrone• 343• 0.18%• 2

• Co. Waterford• 3,393• 1.77%• 30

• Co. Wexford• 4,238• 2.21%• 29

• Co. Wicklow• 6,611• 3.45%• 48

• Co. Antrim• 1,184• 0.62%• 2

• Co. Armagh• 310• 0.16%• 2

• Co. Carlow• 2,832• 1.48%• 52

• Co. Clare• 3,047• 1.59%• 26

• Co. Cork• 16,228• 8.47%• 31

• Co. Derry• 324• 0.17%• 1

• Co. Donegal• 2,846• 1.49%• 18

• Co. Down• 794• 0.41%• 1

• Co. Dublin• 90,223• 47.10%• 71

• Co. Fermanagh• 132• 0.07%• 2

• Co. Galway• 8,388• 4.38%• 33

• Co. Kerry• 3,391• 1.77%• 23

• Co. Kildare• 8,234• 4.30%• 39

• Co. Kilkenny• 2,747• 1.43%• 29

• Co. Laois• 1,652• 0.86%• 21

• Co. Leitrim• 815• 0.43%• 26

• County • Total • % Split • Domains per 1,000 population

Co. Westmeath• 2,454• 1.28%• 28

• Co. Cavan• 1,564• 0.82%• 21

Chart 3: County profile of .ie registrations

https://www.iedr.ie/register-a-domain/accredited-registrar-list/



International Market ReviewTherearemorethan240countrycodetop-leveldomain

extensions(ccTLDs)globally.ComparedtoourEU

neighbours,thelevelofccTLDregistrationspercapita

inIreland,at46domainsper1,000ofpopulation,is

greaterthanSpain(39per1,000)andCroatia(21)andin

linewithFrance(45)andItaly(47).However,Irelandis

significantlybehindanumberofEUcountriessuchas

theUK(167),Denmark(233)andTheNetherlands(334).


Chart 5: International ccTLD – registrations by country and domains per 1,000 population

• Norway .no• 678,643• 134

• Finland .�• 377,607• 69

• Sweden .se• 1,395,189• 145

• Lithuania .lt• 173,268• 59

• Russia .ru• 5,024,070• 35

• Poland .pl• 2,655,015• 69

• Czech Republic .cz• 1,227,772• 117

• Slovakia .sk• 333,876• 62

• Croatia .hr• 91,488• 21

• Italy .it• 2,851,979• 47

• Greece .gr• 377,898• 34

• Country• Number of domains• Domains per 1,000 population

Denmark .dk • 1,306,751 •

233 •

UK .uk • 10,715,029 •

167 •

Ireland .ie • 210,839 •

46 •

Netherlands .nl • 5,614,561 •

334 •

Belgium .be • 1,529,807 •

137 •

Germany .de • 16,016,827 •

199 •

Austria .at • 1,265,317 •

149 •

France .fr • 2,937,212 •

45 •

Switzerland .ch • 1,978,090 •

245 •

Portugal .pt • 771,149 •

74 •

Spain .es • 1,796,060 •

39 •

Source: AssociationofEuropeanNationalTopLevelDomainRegistries(www.centr.org)

http://www.centr.org

101DomainGRSLimited

1APIGmbh

4UnlimitedHosting

ABNameISP

ABUInternetLtd

ActiveOnlineLtd

AdvanceInternetMarketing

AlwaysAmber

AnuInternetServicesLtd

AscioTechnologiesInc

AuraInternet

BakerConsultants

BBOnlineLtd

BeecherNetworks

BiznetIISLtd

BlacknightInternetSolutionsLtd

BTIreland

ComLaude

Connect.ie

CSCDomainsInc

DBAlliance

DeepBlueInternetServices

DepartmentofPublicExpenditureandReform

Diacom

Digihost(fkaDigiweb)

DmacMedia

DomaininfoAB

DomainNameShop

DonDominio

Eir

Electriclinks

Elive

eMarkmonitorInc

EquinoxeBusinessSolutions

eTailor

EuroDNS

FCRMedia

FusioLtd

FutureBusinessIntercommunications

GlobalVillage

HEAnet

HostIreland

HostingIreland

ICCMHosting

IEInternet

InsightMultimedia

InstraCorporationPtyLtd

InterfusionNetworksLimited

InternetXGmbH

InterpointTechnologiesLtd

IomartGroupPLC

iPLANiTLtd.

IrishBroadband

IrishDomains

Isobar(fkaLucidity)

JenerateLimited

JustPerfectIT

KernaCommunications

Key-SystemsGmbH

KildareWebServices

LetsHost

Lexsynergy

LGMA(fkaLGCSB)

MagnetBusiness

Marcaria.com

MelbourneIT

Mister.ie

Modata

Myhost.ie

NamescoIreland/Register365

Nameshield

NETIM

NuasoftWebServicesHosting&Marketing

OVHIreland

PriorityComputerServicesLtd

ProgressSystems

RedRhinoWebDesign

Register.it

ReidNetworks

Rivertower

SafenamesLimited

SecureHost

SeekInternetSolutions

SilkWebDesign

SpiralHosting

StormWebDevelopment

SuccessOnline

Techstore

TecSupportHosting

TheDesignPool

TheNet

Tibus

TopsecTechnology

TSG

United-DomainsAG

VCComputers

WebCloudICT

WebsolutionsApS

WebWorld

Webfactory

Webhost.ie

Weblink

WebTradeLimited

Webworks.ie

WebZone


AccreditedRegistrarsAccreditedRegistrarsareakeypartoftheservicedeliveryprocess.

SME

SMESME

SME

Supporting Irish SMEsSMEs are the backbone of the Irish economy.We provide them with a stable and secure domain name which acts as the identifiably Irish springboard for their digital business.

HEAnetHEAnetisIreland’sNationalEducationandResearchNetwork,providinghighqualityinternetservicestoIrishUniversities,InstitutesofTechnologyandtheresearchandeducationalcommunity.HEAnetprovidesahigh-speednationalnetworkwithdirectconnectivityforitscommunitytoothernetworksinIreland,Europe,theUSAandtherestoftheworld.Establishedin1984topromotetheinterchangeofinformationelectronicallywithinthirdleveleducation,HEAnetplaysacriticalroleinestablishingIrelandasaglobalcentreofexcellenceinInternetactivity.

INEXFoundedin1996,INEXisaneutral,industry-ownedassociationthatprovidesIPpeeringfacilitiesforitsmembers.INEX’sobjectiveistoprovidehigh-speed,reliableandresilientIPtrafficexchangefacilitiesforbothIrishandinternationalorganisations,allowingthemtorouteIPtrafficefficientlytherebyprovidingfaster,morereliableandlower-latencyInternetaccessfortheircustomers.TheINEXswitchingcentresarelocatedinfivesecuredatacentresinDublin.Theswitchesareconnectedbydedicatedresilientfibrelinks.

IIATheIrishInternetAssociationistheprofessionalbodyforthoseconductingbusinessviatheInternetfromIreland.Ithasbeen,andremains,oneofthedrivingforcesbehindtheadoptionofthemedium.Establishedin1997,theIIAprovidesleadershiptoenterprisesconductingbusinessinIreland.TheIIAisastrongvoiceforits300pluscompanymemberswhichincludesthoseusingthemediumforcommunication,marketingandcommerce.TheaimoftheIIAis“toconnect,informandpromote”.

DNS-OARCTheDNSOperations,Analysis,andResearchCenter(DNS-OARC)bringstogetherkeyoperators,implementers,andresearchersonatrustedplatformsotheycancoordinateresponsestoattacksandotherconcerns,shareinformationandlearntogether.

DNS-OARChasfivekeyfunctions:informationsharing,operationalcharacterisation,holdingworkshops,analysis,andprovidingtoolsandDNSservices.

DNS-OARCmembersincludeTLDoperators,implementerssuchasISC(BIND),NLNetLabs,researchersandsecurityorganisations.

ComRegComRegisthestatutorybodyresponsiblefortheregulationoftheelectroniccommunicationssectorandthepostalsector.ItisthenationalregulatoryauthorityforthesesectorsinaccordancewithEUlawwhichissubsequentlytransposedintoIrishlegislation.ComRegisresponsibleforpromotingcompetition,protectingconsumersandencouraginginnovation.Itwasgivenregulatoryresponsibilityforthe.ienamespacein2007whentheOireachtastransferredpowerswhichtheMinisterforCommunicationshadpreviouslyobtainedundertheE-CommerceActin2000.


PartnersinKeepingIrelandOnlineIEDRworkscloselywithkeystakeholdersandpartnersinkeepingIrelandonline

Facing up to security and stability challenges in 2015TherewasanincreaseinglobalDDoSattacksandan

escalationinreportedhackingincidentsworldwide

during2015.Thethreatforaregistrar,oraregistry

suchasIEDR,isthathackersmayattempttouseitas

aconduittorepointtheDNSofanestablishedbrand’s

websiteatahackedsite,tocausemalicious,financial

orreputationaldamagetothebrand.

Therewerealsoincreasesinglobalphishingattacks

during2015.Aphishingattackcantaketheshapeof

anemail,websiteoraphonecallwithmaliciousintent,

toacquiresensitiveinformationincludingfinancial

information.Ausermayreceiveanemailthatlooks

similartotheirbankorcreditcardcompanyemails.

Theuserisaskedtosendcertainsensitiveinformation

ordirectedtoasitethatmimicsabank’ssiteandasked

tologin,therebycapturingitsaccesspasswords.There

hasalsobeenanincreaseinfakephonecallswhereby

usersareaskedtoinstallapieceofcomputersoftware

byacallerclaimingtobefromareputablecompany.

Ransomwareincreasedin2015.Ransomwareisatype

ofmalicioussoftwarethatistypicallysenthiddeninan

email.Whenopened,theuser’ssystemwillbeencrypted

preventingaccesstoinformationonthecomputer.The

onlywaytoretrieveinformationistopayafeetohave

thesystemdecrypted.

IEDRworkswithfellowccTLDsandsecurity

professionalsinournetworktoensurethatweare

maintainingbestpracticetoolstoprotectournetwork

of.iewebsitesfromsuchattacks.Wealsoworktokeep

ourcustomersinformedofanynewattackvectorsthat

weencounter.BecauseIEDRhasstrictverification

proceduresinplacetoregisterdomains,theriskof

abuseofdomaintechnologyisreduced.Wealsowork

closelywithourCENTRpartnerswhomonitorforbots

thatarepartofransomwareorDDoSattackvectors.

Weconductsecuritysurveyswithourserviceproviders

toensurehardware,networkandsoftwaresystemsare

optimisedtoensurestabilityandsecurity.Weregularly

commissionindependentreviewsbyexternalindustry

expertstobenchmarkthesesystemswithinternational

bestpractice.

IEDR’stwofactorauthenticationsystem(2FA)controls

accesstoourweb-basedconsoletoensurebetter

protectionforcustomers.Atwo-factorsystemrequiresa

PINaswellasaloginpassword,similartothatusedby

manyonlinebankingsystems.Whilethe2FAserviceis

enabledbydefault,notallcustomerschoosetousethis,

andmanyopt-out,believingthatthesecuritybenefitsdo

notoutweightheperceivedinconvenience.

OneofthekeyobjectivesfortheCompany’sTechnical

ServicesTeamistoalignoursystems,controlsandprocedures

withthoseoftheISO27001standard.Thisalignmentensures

thattheCompanyadoptsbestpracticemethodologies

andprovidesaneffectivemanagementsystemthatwill

enhancestakeholderconfidencewhenassessingthe

Company’sabilitytoadequatelyprotectitsinformation

assets.Wecontinuedwiththisworkthrough2015.

Future challenges for the international Internet technical communityNewdataprotectionregulationswereissuedin2015by

theCounciloftheEuropeanUnion.Companiesmustnow

reportpersonalinformationbreacheswithin72hours

totheirlocaldataprotectionauthority.Companiesalso

mustadheretostrictguidelinesfortheuseofpersonal

dataforadvertising.TheEU’sArticle29WorkingParty

(A29WP)wassetuptoreviewdataprotectionacrossthe

EUandmakerecommendations.Thebodyismadeupof

nationaldataprotectionauthoritiesfromacrosstheEU,

withamandatetoharmoniseEUdataprotectionrules

andimplementation.Thiswillmeanthatcompanies

dealwiththeirlocaldataprotectionagencyandnot

multipleofficesinothermembercountries.


TechnicalServicesReviewThemainfocusfortheTechnicalServicesTeamin2015wastoupdatethenetworkinfrastructurewithinourdatacentres.TheCoreRegistrySystem(CRS),whichisthebackboneofourservice,wasalsoextendedtoincludeseveralnewproducts.WeparticipatedinICANN,RIPE,CENTRmeetingsandgrewourR&DcapabilityincollaborationwithTrinityCollegeDublin.

TheSafeHarbouragreement,atransatlanticdata

agreementwhichallowsEuropeancitizen’sdatato

betransferredtotheUS,wasdeclaredinvalidbythe

EuropeanCourtofJustice.Thiswillhaveaknock-on

effectoncloudservicesand/orsocialnetworkswhich

currentlysendcustomerdatabacktoserversinthe

US.DiscussionsbetweentheEUandtheUScontinued

through2015toidentifyalternativesolutions.

High availability .ie systems and servicesTheTechnicalServicesTeammanagesandmaintains

thecompany’shighavailabilitysystemsand

infrastructure,spreadacrossfoursites;twodatacentres

(InterxionandTelecityGroup),abusinesscontinuity

recoverysiteandthecompany’sheadquartersin

Dublin.Wecompletedaprojectduring2015tooptimise

ournetworkacrossourdatacentres.Wesignificantly

improvedourresilienceandfutureproofedournetwork

systemsaspartofthisproject.

Wearecontinuallyimprovingoursystemsandthrough

2015wecompletedthreemajorreleasestodeliver

newfeatures/productsandbugfixes.Eachreleasewas

plannedwithourcustomersandeachwasexecuted

withinagreeddowntimeparameters.Wealsocompleted

ourquarterlysoftwarepatchingroutineswithno

downtime.

OurAPIcustomerbasegrewbyfourin2015to23

accreditedRegistrarcustomerswhonowuseour

APItoautomatetheirexperiencewiththeIEDomain

Registrysystems.

New products and servicesIn2015,alargeprojecttoreviewandimprove

thespeedandefficiencyofourdatabasesystem

commenced.Theproject,knownasDatabase

Normalisation,reviewedeachtableandfieldinthe

databaseandalignedthestructureandformatwith

bestpractises.Theteamstartedthisprocessby

enablingUTF8withinthedatabase.UTF8isaUnicode

basedcharactersystemthatisacomputingstandard.

Itallowsuseofmultiplelanguageswithinthesystem,

forexample,Chinese,PolishandIrishcharactersfor

namesandaddresses,andunderpinsworkonIDNs.

IDNsorInternationalisedDomainNames,isanew

productbuiltin2015,followingtherecommendation

ofthePACforacceptanceofthepolicychange-request

anditssubsequentapprovalbytheBoardoftheIEDR.

ThiswillallowIrishfadaswithinthedomainname

forthefirsttime–forexample,www.éire.ie,whichis

depictedinthedatabaseasxn--ire-9la.ie.

Workwascompletedon1and2letterdomainnames

tofacilitatetheimplementationofthepolicychange.

Aportalwasbuilttoallowcustomerstoregister

interestinthesedomainnames.TherewasaSunrise

andLandrushprocessin2015withauctionsplannedfor

early2016.GeneralAvailabilityoftheremaining1and2

letterdomainsisscheduledforMay2016.

TocombatDNSPoisoning(wherebyahackerre-pointsa

websiteatafraudulentsite)aRegistryLockproductwas

introducedin2015.Thisallowsawebsiteownertolock-

downchangestotheirdomain.RegistryLockprevents

unauthorisedorunintendedDNSupdates,account

informationupdatesortransfers.Auser-specific

passphrase,fromanauthoriseduser,mustbeprovided

byphone,inordertogiveeffecttointendedchanges.

WealsoarecontinuingtosupportDNSSECacrossour

customerbase.ThisisanextralevelofDNSsecurity

thatcreatesa“chainoftrust”betweenzonestoensure

thatacustomerisactuallygoingtothewebsitethey

want.DNSSECthereforeprevents“maninthemiddle”

attacks.

Research and developmentDuring2015,westartedworkonanewtoolcalled

“iEncrypt”.Thistoolwillallowatechniciantosetupa

newwebsitewithautomatedinclusionofsslcertification

anddnssec,therebyreducingcomplexityandspeeding

upthesecureregistration.Incollaborationwitha

teamatTrinityCollegeDublin,wedesignedthetool

andpresentedaworkingdemoattheICANNeventin

Dublin.In2016,theplanistobuildonthistoimprove

theadoptionratesofsecuretechnologies.

In2015,IEDRco-sponsoredanIrishmemberofthe

IETF.TheInternetEngineeringTaskForce,astandards

developmentgroupundertheauspicesoftheInternet

Society,isaninternationalmembership-basednon-

profitorganisation.

ThankstotheeffortsofourcolleaguesintheINEX,the

52ndICANNeventwashostedinDublinin2015.This

wasahighlightintheIEDomainRegistrycalendarand

weweredelightedtoco-sponsortheeventandproudto

introduceourinternationalcolleaguestoourcity,during

‘ThatNightinDublin’.


IEDRiscommittedtothedevelopmentandadoptionof

DNSSEC.In2015,weaddedanextratestenvironment

totestDNSSECenabledzonefilesbeforepublishing

themandcompletedseveralupgradesonourHardware

SecurityModule(HSM)infrastructure.DNSSEC

workshopsfor2016areplanned,whichwillhelpto

increasetheawarenessandadoptionofDNSSEC

andhelpuserstodigitallysigntheirdomains.

IEDRcontinueditscollaborationeffortswithvarious

Internetstakeholdersthroughthemembershipof

organisationssuchastheDNS-OARC(DNSOperations,

AnalysisandResearchCentre)group.Thisgroupbrings

togethermembersfromthemajorInternetDNS

operators,includingICANNandVerisign,implementers

andresearchersinordertocoordinateresponsestoattacks,

sharecriticalinformationandengageindiscussionand

analysis.StaffarealsoactivelyengagedwiththeIrish

ReportingandInformationSecurityService(IRISS),the

IrishNeutralInternetExchange(INEX),RIPE,CENTRand

others.Theteamactivelyparticipatedininternational

industryeventssuchasCENTRmeetings(Technical,

SecurityandR&D)RIPEandICANNduringtheyear.

Internet of Things, and the need for IPv6TheInternetofThings(IoT)continuedtogrowin2015.

Wearablessuchasfitnesstrackers,smartwatches,

smarthomesandsmartcarscontinuedtocapturethe

imaginationateventssuchastheConsumerElectronics

Show(CES)inLasVegas.

AlmosteverythingcanbeconnectedtotheInternet

–lights,fridges,TVsareallconnected.Gartner*

predictsthattheIoTwillgrowto20.8billionunitsby

2020.ItisatrendthatwillensurecontinuedInternet

growthintothefuture.

Lookingforwardto2016,VirtualReality(VR)and

Roboticsappeartobesignificantgrowthmarkets.The

inauguralIEDRInternetDayin2015featuredakeynote

speakerRudydeWaele,whogaveusrealinsightsinto

thefutureoftheInternet.Roboticsandsmartoffices

arekeytrendstowatch.

Inordertobe“found”ontheInternet,allofthese

“things”requireanIPaddress.BillionsofadditionalIP

addressesweremadeavailabletotheglobalInternet

community,followingtheprotractedintroductionofIPv6

asasuccessor,essential,giventhedepletedstockof

IPv4addresses.IEDRextendeditsautomatedsystems

in2015tofacilitate.iedomainswithIPv6addresses.

The .ie DNS infrastructureTheIEDRDomainNameSystem(DNS)

infrastructureconsistsofanetworkof

nameserverlocationsaroundtheglobe,

illustratedinDiagram1above.Thelookup

orresolutionservicefor.iedomainqueries

isperformedatallnameserverlocations.

Acriticalcomponentofthisnameserver

infrastructureistheuseof‘Anycast’load

balancingtechnologyprovidedtoIEDRbythe

secondarynameserverserviceproviders.This

‘Anycast’facility(illustratedinred/bluetext,in

Diagram1)protectsagainstaDenialofService

attack(DDoSattack)byallowingthegeographical

distributionof.iedomainlookuprequeststoany

availableDNSresolverforredundancy.Thiseffectively

distributesrequeststoagivenlocationlocally.Forthe

.ienamespace,thismeansincreasedsystemefficiency,

fasterresponsetimes,reducedpotentialforoutages,

andincreasedresilienceagainstdeliberateormalicious

attacks.

ItisimportanttonotethatevenifIEDR’sphysical

locations,staffandprimarynameserverwerewipedout

(anunlikelyscenario)andnoactionwastakentoinvoke

emergencyplans(anevenmoreunlikelyscenario),then

serviceto.iedomainswouldcontinueforaminimum

of30dayswithoutanyintervention.Obviously,new

registrations,changesanddeletionswouldnottake

placebutcrucially,existingdomainholders’websites

andemailwouldcontinuetofunctionnormallyduring

thistime,usingthesecondarynameserverlocations

aroundtheworld.


* Gartner‘Predicts2016:UnexpectedImplicationsArisingFromtheInternetofThings’

Diagram 1: Security and stability Nameservernetwork


DUBLIN, IRELAND

g.ns.ie

BT

DUBLIN, IRELAND

a.ns.ie

b.ns.ie

IEDR

FRANCE

h.ns.ie

Afnic

Saint-Quentin- en-Yvelines

DYN’S NETWORK

e.ns.ie

f.ns.ie

Canada

Toronto: Canada

South America

El Paso: Mexico

Sao Paulo: Brazil

United States

Chicago: IL

Seattle: WA

Los Angeles: CA

Nogales: AZ

North Bergen: NJ

Dallas: TX

Miami: FL

Sunnyvale: CA

Washington DC: VA

Europe

Amsterdam: Netherlands

Frankfurt: Germany

London: United Kingdom

Africa

Tanzania: Tanzania

Oceania

Sydney: Australia

Middle East/Asia

Hong Kong: China

Singapore: Singapore

NETNOD’S NETWORK

c.ns.ie

d.ns.ie

South America

Porto Alegre: Brazil

United States

Ashburn: VA

Chicago: IL

San Francisco: CA

Washington DC: VA

Europe

Amsterdam: Netherlands [2]

Ankara: Turkey

Belgrade: Serbia

Brussels: Belgium

Bucharest: Romania

Frankfurt: Germany

Helsinki: Finland

Geneva: Switzerland

Kiev: Ukraine

London: United Kingdom

Luleå: Sweden

Luxembourg: Luxembourg

Malmo: Sweden

Milan: Italy

Oslo: Norway

Paris: France

St Petersburg: Russia

Stockholm: Sweden [3]

Tallinn: Estonia

Middle East/Asia

Manama: Bahrain

Bangkok: Thailand

Doha: Qatar

Dubai: United Arab Emirates

Hong Kong: China

Jakarta: Indonesia

Kathmandu: Nepal

Karachi: Pakistan

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia

Mumbai: India

Singapore: Singapore

Taipei: Taiwan

Thimphu: Bhutan

Tokyo: Japan

Ulaanbaatar: Mongolia

Vienna: Austria

Yerevan: Armenia

Africa

Johannesburg: South Africa

Oceania

Perth: Australia

Wellington: New Zealand

OPTIMISE – the IEDR e-Commerce Website Development FundResearchundertakenbyIEDRintoIrishSmalland

MediumEnterprises(SMEs)andmicro-enterprises

onlinepresenceande-commercecapabilitiesfoundthat

thevastmajorityofcompaniesarenotfullyutilisingthe

Internetoronlinesalesopportunitiestodrivegrowth

intheirbusinesses.SomeofthekeyissuesfacingIrish

SMEsandmicroenterprisesarealackofresourcesand

adeficiencyofknowledgeaboutusingonlinemethods

tohelpgrowtheirbusiness.

Inresponse,IEDRsetupOPTIMISE–theIEDR

e-CommerceWebsiteDevelopmentFundin2011.

TheFundwascreatedtoprovideIrishSMEsandmicro

enterpriseswithprofessionalconsultation,practical

trainingande-commercetooldevelopmentservices.

Todate,OPTIMISEhasworkedshoulder-to-shoulder

with75companiestoenablethemtomakegreateruse

ofexistingwebtechnologiestousee-commerceenabled

websitestogrowtheirexistingbusinessviatheInternet.

In2015,theFundwasawardedto15IrishSMEsand

microenterprises.Theindependentjudgingpanel

selectedashortlistof30companiesandfromthis

10winnerswerechosenbyapublicvotewiththe

remainingfivewinnersbeingselectedbythejudges.

The15winnerseachreceivedatailoredprogramme

ofconsultancy,trainingandwebdevelopmentservices

whichprovidedthemwiththee-toolsandknow-how

to‘optimise’theironlinepresence,hencepositioning

themforfuturegrowthviaonlinesales.In2015,

OPTIMISEwasextendedtoprovidethewinnerswith

aseriesofmasterclassesfocussedonareassuchas

mobilemarketing,onlineadvertising,onlinepurchasing

behaviourandwebsiteoptimisation.

IEDRworkedcloselywithitsselectedpartners(Matrix

Internet,aleadingonlinestrategydevelopmentand

implementationcompany,andSoftwareDesign,a

companydedicatedtotheprovisionofprofessional

softwareanddevelopmentservices)whoadministerand

implementtheservicerequirementsoftheOPTIMISE

FundonbehalfofIEDR.Formoreinformationonthe

OPTIMISEFundpleasevisitwww.iedr.ie/optimise/.


OutreachandPromotionReviewIEDR’sOutreachandPromotionsprogrammecontinuedtosupportitsstakeholdersandtheInternetcommunityinIrelandthroughout2015.Arangeofinitiativesandsponsorshipswerespecificallydesignedtopromotethebenefitsofthe.ienamespaceandencourageInternetusageanduptake.

PicturedatthelaunchoftheIEDR’sOPTIMISEFund2015,formerFundwinnerSuzanneKingston(Puddleducks.ie)withAlexandHollyMurphyandOPTIMISEAmbassadorFrancisBrennan(TheParkHotelandRTÉ’sAtYourService)andIEDRCEODavidCurtin.

PicturedattheclosingceremonyofIEDR’sOPTIMISEFund2015,FundwinnersfromDayToursUnplugged.ie,AdventureHolidays.ie,TheOldMillstores.ie,CleanFreaks.ie,TheGaiety.ie,PhysioExtra.ie,GPMI.ieandOlytico.iewithIEDRCEODavidCurtinandOPTIMISEAmbassadorDominiKemp,founder/ownerofAlchemyandItsa.

http://www.iedr.ie/optimise/

Visit www.iedr.ie

Register your business as .ieIreland’s official web address.

Tell the world your business is Irish, and tell Irish people your business is local.• Guaranteed Irish - Proves true connection to Ireland.

• Safety - One of the world’s safest web addresses.

Killowen .ie

Killowen Farm Owner.

Nicholas Dunne,

Tell the worldyou’re Irish.

Visit www.iedr.ie

Register your business as .ieIreland’s official web address.

Tell the world your business is Irish, and tell Irish people your business is local.• Guaranteed Irish - Proves true connection to Ireland.

• Safety - One of the world’s safest web addresses.

Killowen .ie

Killowen Farm Owner.

Nicholas Dunne,



visit www.iedr.ie

Register your business as .ieIreland’s offi cial web address.

Tell the world your business is Irish, and tell Irish people your business is local.

• Guaranteed Irish – Proves true connection to Ireland

• Safety – One of the world’s safest web addresses

StonechatJewellers .ie

Jeweller.

Anne Chapman,

02376-IEDR-TellWorldIrish-Ad-Proof#01.indd 1 03/03/2016 14:37


visit www.iedr.ie

Register your business as .ieIreland’s offi cial web address.

Tell the world your business is Irish, and tell Irish people your business is local.

• Guaranteed Irish – Proves true connection to Ireland

• Safety – One of the world’s safest web addresses

LeprechaunMuseum .ie

Museum Director.

Tom O’Rahilly,

02029-IEDR-TellWorldIrish-Ad-Proof#01.indd 1 02/09/2015 13:46

.ie Awareness integrated media campaignInordertoachieveourkeystrategicobjectiveofraising

brandawarenessof.iedomainnamesamongstsmall

andmicroIrishbusinesses,IEDRrananextensive

integratedmediaadvertisingcampaigninthefirstquarter

of2015.Thecampaignhadthreemainobjectives:

� Tocreateawarenessofthe.iebrandamongst

SMEsandmicrobusinessesandposition.ie

asthedomainofchoiceforIrishbusinessand

consumers.

� Toarticulatethevalueof.iedomainstoinfluencers

inthedomaindecisionprocess.

� Todemonstratethevalueof.iedomainsto

Registrarsof.iedomainsandtheirresellers.

Registrarswereinvitedtoparticipateinthecampaign

andthosethatsigneduptotakepartwerelistedon

ourdedicatedlandingpageatwww.iedr.ie.Alltraffic

generatedbythecampaignwasdirectedtoregistera

.iedomainwithoneofthesesupportingRegistrars,as

opposedtobeingdirectedtoamoregenericlistingof.ie

accreditedRegistrars.Thecampaignprovedtobevery

successfulandhelpedtoincreasethenetgrowthof.ie

domainregistrationswhilealsodrivinglargevolumesof

traffictoRegistrarwebsites.

IEDR Co-Funded Marketing ProgrammeIn2012,IEDRestablishedaCo-FundedMarketing

Programme(CFMP)forour.ieaccreditedRegistrars.

ThepurposeoftheProgrammeistopromote

awareness,stimulateregistrationgrowthandencourage

renewalsof.iedomainnames.TheCFMP,inpartnership

withourRegistrars,supportsoneofIEDR’skeystrategic

objectivesofraisingawarenessabouttheimportanceof

havinganidentifiablyIrishonlinepresence.

IEDRcontinuedtooffertheCFMPthroughout2015.

TheprogrammesupportedawiderangeofRegistrar

marketinginitiativesincludingradiocommercials,

printedadvertisements,directmailcampaigns,Google

AdWords,socialmediaadvertisingandindustryevents.

Non-participatingRegistrarsalsoreceivedsomebenefit

fromthisincreased.ieexposure,leadingtoadditional

growthandretentionrates.Registrarswhoparticipated

inthe2015Programmereportedpositiveresultswith

increasedtrafficdirectedtotheirwebsitesandan

increaseintheir.ieregistrationsandrenewalrates.

AspartoftheCFMP,aCo-FundedTVAdvertising

Campaigninitiativewasestablishedin2012andwas

offeredagainin2015.Thepurposewastosharethe

costswiththoseRegistrarswhointendedtouseTVinan

efforttoreachIrishbusinessesthatstillremainoffline.

In2015,oneTVcampaignwassupportedbytheIEDR

whichfocussedonthethemeof“changingyourstory”

bytakingyourideasonlineandopeningawholenew

rangeofopportunities.


http://www.iedr.ie

Supporting the Internet community in IrelandThroughout2015,IEDRcontinuedtosupporttheInternet

communityinIrelandthrougharangeofinitiativesand

sponsorshipsdesignedtopromotethe.iedomainname

andtoencourageInternetusage.

IEDRwastheheadlinesponsoroftheIrishInternet

Association’s2015dotieNetVisionaryAwardsand

contributedtootherindustryevents,includingtheBT

YoungScientistandTechnologyExhibition,DigitalMedia

Awards,SmallFirmsAssociation(SFA)Awards,Web

Awards,SMEAwards,StartUpAwardsandDigitalDNA.

Additionally,IEDRcontinuedtobuildandstrengthen

relationshipswithkeySMEandmicro-enterprise

representativebodiessuchastheLocalEnterprise

Offices,ChambersIreland,theSFAandStartupIreland.

ByworkingwiththesegroupsIEDRcanengagewith

theirnetworkstopromotetheusageanduptakeof

.iedomainsamongsttheirmembers.

2015alsosawthepublicationoftwokeyreportsbythe

IEDR,thedotieDigitalHealthIndexandtheDomain

ProfileReport.TheDigitalHealthIndexiscalculated

fromresearchdatacollectedfrommultiplesurveysof

IrishSMEsandmicroenterprisesandinvestigatesand

analysesthedigitalassetsownedandusedbyIrish

businesses.TheDomainProfileReportillustratesthe

keytrendsandstatisticsin.iedomainregistrationsover

timeandexaminestheentiredatabaseof.iedomains

whilealsomeasuringthegrowthinregistrationsat

regionalandcountylevelsovertime.


GabrielDrablikandGarySheridan,BTYoungScientistspecialawardwinnersfromMoyneCommunitySchool,Co.LongfordpicturedwithDavidCurtin,IEDR.

2015overalldotieNetVisionaryWinnerColmLyon,founderofRealexPaymentsandJoanMulvihill,CEO,IIAwithDavidCurtin,IEDR.

DavidClarkeofElZorerroFilms,2015DigitalMediaAwardwinnerforBestWebsite/Micrositefortheirwebsite‘ManonBridge’,picturedwithDonalONuallain,IEDR.

Fromlefttoright:AJNoonan,Chairman,SFA,RichardBrutonTD,MinisterforJobs,EnterpriseandInnovation,StephenDowlingfromDunmasc,EmergingNewBusinessWinner,withDavidCurtin,IEDR.

.ie

Our flagship researchIn order to assist decision and policy makers in Ireland’s Internet community we produced the dot ie Digital Health Index to better understand how Irish businesses engage with and use the Internet.

Profit and LossYear to

31 Dec 2015Year to

31 Dec 2014Year to

31 Dec 2013Year to

31 Dec 2012Year to

31 Dec 2011€ € € € €

Registration Revenue 2,859,722 2,723,983 2,587,526 2,603,799 2,661,821

Administrationexpenses (1,706,923) (1,204,141) (991,860) (1,243,677) (1,037,485)

Employmentcosts (1,462,973) (1,334,870) (1,274,261) (1,199,101) (1,199,603)

Depreciation (206,908) (175,108) (190,406) (89,683) (66,766)

Operating profit (517,082) 9,864 130,999 71,338 357,967

Financialinvestmentuplift/impairment 80,941 83,078 144,504 142,984 (33,933)

Profitonsaleoffinancialinvestment – 132,358 – – –

Interestincome 21,444 30,741 59,674 106,384 96,793

Taxation 25,386 (60,000) (36,000) (38,000) (71,824)

(Loss)/profit after taxation (389,311) 196,041 299,177 282,706 349,003

Balance SheetAt

31 Dec 2015At

31 Dec 2014At

31 Dec 2013At

31 Dec 2012At

31 Dec 2011€ € € € €

FixedAssets 163,762 181,141 199,451 148,043 93,490

Investments 3,159,815 3,078,874 1,940,089 1,795,585 1,652,601

CurrentAssets 2,801,697 3,272,788 4,077,512 3,689,614 3,355,304

Creditors<1year,excludingDeferredIncome (437,514) (592,383) (645,586) (629,491) (361,843)

DeferredIncome (1,970,724) (1,834,073) (1,661,160) (1,392,622) (1,411,129)

Members’ Funds 3,717,036 4,106,347 3,910,306 3,611,129 3,328,423

5 Year Summary – Registration Growth

Year to 31 Dec 2015

Year to 31 Dec 2014

Year to 31 Dec 2013

Year to 31 Dec 2012

Year to 31 Dec 2011

At 1 January 195,999 187,269 182,284 173,145 153,419

NewRegistrations 35,225 31,072 32,154 33,484 39,398

Less:Deletions/Non-renewals (22,296) (22,342) (27,169) (24,345) (19,672)

Net Additions 12,929 8,730 4,985 9,139 19,726

At 31 December 208,928 195,999 187,269 182,284 173,145

NetGrowthinyear 6.6% 4.7% 2.7% 5.3% 12.9%

NewRegGrowth 18.0% 16.6% 17.6% 19.3% 25.7%

Deletionrate (11.4%) (11.9%) (14.9%) (14.1%) (12.8%)


FiveYearSummaryExtractfromtheauditedFinancialStatements(financialfiguresonly)

38 CompanyInformation

38 Directors’Report

41 IndependentAuditors’Report

42 ProfitandLossAccount

43 BalanceSheet

44 StatementofCashFlows

45 NotestotheFinancialStatements


FinancialStatementsforthefinancialyearended31December2015

Thedirectorspresenttheirreportandthefinancial

statementsforthefinancialyearended31December2015.

Principal ActivityThecompanywasincorporatedon16November1999and

commencedtotradeon1July2000.Theprincipalactivityof

thecompanyistheregistryfor.ieInternetdomainnames.

Results and DividendsThelossfortheyear,afterprovidingfordepreciation,

taxationandtheunrealisedgainsonfinancialinvestment

amountedto€389,311(2014profit–€196,041).

Fair ReviewFromanoperationalperspective,2015wasasatisfactory

yearofdevelopmentandgrowth.Thecompanyestablished

a2015StrategicDevelopmentFundwithadedicatedbudget

of€618,000tofinanceasetofpromotion,marketing

andcustomerserviceinitiativestomeetthestrategic

objectivesandprioritiesofexpansionandprotectionofthe

.ienamespace.Thisfundfinancedanintegratedradioand

digitalawarenesscampaign,anextensionofthesuccessful

SMEecommercefundOPTIMISEprogram,publications

backedbyrobustindependentresearch,newservicesfor

customersandtheinauguralIrelandInternetDay.

Turnover,representingthedeferredincomereleasein2015,

increasedby5%to€2.86million(2014–€2.72million).

Whiletheinvoicedvalueofregistrationfeesincreased,

reflectingnewgrowthin2015,anincreasingproportion

isaccountedforbymultiyearregistrationsandrenewals.

Accordingly,thedeferredrevenueonthebalancesheet

increasedby7.5%in2015,to€1.97million(2014–

€1.83million).Volumegrowthindomainswasagain

strongin2015,withyearonyeargrowthat13.4%.When

non-renewalsareconsidered,thenetgrowthinthe.ie

namespacewas48.1%,whichissatisfactory,considering

thedifficulttradingconditionswhichcontinuedtoaffect

smallandmedium-sizedcompaniesin2015.Thevolume

growthisgeneratedbytheregistrarsaleschannel,which

accountsforover99%ofallnewregistrations.

DirectorsProfessorJ.O.Scanlan(Chairman)

Ms.FrancesM.Buggy

Mr.MarkDobbyn

Dr.PatrickFrain

Mr.JimJoyce(appointed1January2016)

Dr.CaniceLambe

Mr.KevinMcCarthy

Mr.FergalO’Byrne

SecretaryMr.JimJoyce

Company Number315315

Registered Office4thFloor,HarbourSquare

DunLaoghaire

Co.Dublin

AuditorsBDO

BeauxLaneHouse

MercerStreetLower

Dublin2

BankersBank of Ireland

Montrose

Dublin4

KBC Bank

SandwithStreet

Dublin2

SolicitorsArthur Cox

EarlsfortCentre

EarlsfortTerrace

Dublin2

McKeever Rowan

5HarbourmasterPlace

IFSC,Dublin1


Directors’Reportforthefinancialyearended31December2015

CompanyInformation

Administrativeexpensesincreasedby24.7%from

€2.71millionto€3.38million.Employmentcosts

increasedby9.6%in2015to€1.46millionreflecting

staffturnoverandmaternitycover.Depreciation

increasedby17.7%to€0.2millionreflectingthe

company’sinvestmentsinmissioncriticalapplications

andservicesforcustomers.Promotion,sponsorship,

andadvertisingcostsmorethandoubledin2015asthe

companylauncheditsStrategicDevelopmentFundand

continueditssponsorshipofindustryevents,continued

itsjointpromotionwithregistrarsofthe.ienamespace

andcontinuedtheOPTIMISEFund,whichassistsSMEs

andmicro-businessestodevelopande-commerce

enabletheir.iewebsites.

Thefinancialpositionofthecompanyat31December

2015issolidwithadequatenetcashfundsof

€2.6millionandMembers’Fundsof€3.7million.

Thecompanychangeditsaccountingpolicyinrelation

tofinancialassetsin2015andnowrecordsthefinancial

investmentsataMarktoMarketbasisofvaluation.The

financialinvestmentsmarketvalueat31December2015

is€3,109,715(2014–€3,028,774).

Principal Risks and UncertaintiesIncommonwithothersmallandmedium-sized

enterprises,thecompany’sperformanceisimpacted

bytheemergingrecoveryinthemacro-economic

environmentinIreland.Thereissomeexposureto

residualmacro-economicrisksposedbytheafter

effectsoftherecession,andinparticulartheriskof

non-paymentbycustomers.Theseriskscontinueto

bemanagedprudentlybythecompany.Inlinewith

internetindustrynorms,thecompanyfacesanumberof

risksinrelationtoproductandservicesdisruptionand

innovationandinrelationtorelianceonkeycomputer

systemsandkeystaff.Thecompany’sbusiness

continuityplansanddisasterrecoveryprocedures

addresstherisksassociatedwithrelianceonkey

computersystems.Stafftraining,cross-skillingandkey

processdocumentationmitigatethepotentialexposure

arisingfromthelossofkeystaffmembers.

Future DevelopmentsThecompanycontinuestomonitorinternational

developmentsimpactingccTLDregistries,inparticular

theinternationalexpansionin,andthenumberof,top-

leveldomains.Whilethesedevelopmentswillresultin

acceleratedgrowthintheglobaldomainnamemarket,

theyrepresentachallengefortrademarkandpatents

holders,brandmanagersandtheownersofintellectual

propertyrights.

Thecompany’soperationalplansandbudgets

incorporatea2016StrategicDevelopmentFundto

financethestrategicobjectivesandprioritiesfor2016.

Intechnicalterms,thecompanyremainsreadyto

implementtechnologiesandproductssuchasIDN

whenthepolicychangesareapproved,andhastakena

leadershiproleinprovidingsecureDNS,withthelaunch

ofDNSSECin2014andtheprovisionofaDNSSECtest

infrastructureforinterestedstakeholderstotestnew

customerservices.

DirectorsAtanEGMin2013,theBoardofDirectorsapprovedan

amendmenttothecompany’sArticlesofAssociation

inrespectofdirectors’termsofservice.Directorsmay

serveamaximumoftwoTerms,wherebyaTermisa

three-yearperiod.Allofthedirectors,havingserveda

Term,areduetoretireattheAGMin2016,and,being

eligible,offerthemselvesforre-electioninaccordance

withtheArticlesofAssociation.MrJimJoycewas

appointedasadirectorpostyearendon1January2016.

Post Balance Sheet EventsOn11February2016,thecompanyplaceditsdormant

subsidiaries.IERegistryLimitedIreland,Domain

RegistryIELimited,IEDRLimitedandTheIrishNational

DomainRegistryLimitedinvoluntarystrikeoff.All

ofthesesubsidiarieshadbeennon-tradingandtheir

valueshadbeenwrittendownto€Nilat31December

2015.Therearenoothermaterialpostbalancesheet

events.


Directors and their InterestsInaccordancewiththeArticlesofAssociation,the

directorshavenofinancialinterestintheMembers’

Fundsofthecompany.

Thecompanyislimitedbyguaranteeanddoesnothavea

sharecapital.Everymemberofthecompanyundertakes

tocontributetotheassetsofthecompanyintheevent

ofitbeingwoundupwhileremainingamember,or

withinoneyearafterwards,forpaymentofdebtsand

liabilitiesofthecompanycontractedbeforeceasingto

beamember,andthecosts,chargesandexpensesof

windingup,andfortheadjustmentoftherightsofthe

contributorsamongthemselves,suchamountasmaybe

requirednotexceeding€1.27cash.

Directors’ ResponsibilitiesThedirectorsareresponsibleforpreparingtheDirectors’

Reportandthefinancialstatementsinaccordancewith

Irishlawandregulations.

Irishcompanylawrequiresthedirectorstoprepare

financialstatementsforeachfinancialyear.Underthe

law,thedirectorshaveelectedtopreparethefinancial

statementsinaccordancewithCompaniesAct2014and

FRS102“TheFinancialReportingStandardapplicable

intheUKandRepublicofIreland”issuedbythe

FinancialReportingCouncil,andpromulgatedbythe

InstituteofCharteredAccountantsinIreland(“relevant

financialreportingframework”).Undercompanylaw,

thedirectorsmustnotapprovethefinancialstatements

unlesstheyaresatisfiedthattheygiveatrueandfair

viewoftheassets,liabilitiesandfinancialpositionof

thecompanyasatthefinancialyearenddateandofthe

profitorlossofthecompanyforthefinancialyearand

otherwisecomplywiththeCompaniesAct2014.

Inpreparingthesefinancialstatements,thedirectors

arerequiredto:

� selectsuitableaccountingpoliciesandthenapply

themconsistently;

� makejudgmentsandaccountingestimatesthat

arereasonableandprudent;and

� preparethefinancialstatementsonthegoing

concernbasisunlessitisinappropriatetopresume

thatthecompanywillcontinueinbusiness.

Thedirectorsareresponsibleforensuringthat

thecompanykeepsorcausestobekeptadequate

accountingrecordswhichcorrectlyexplainandrecord

thetransactionsofthecompany,enableatanytimethe

assets,liabilities,financialpositionandprofitorlossof

thecompanytobedeterminedwithreasonableaccuracy,

enablethemtoensurethatthefinancialstatements

anddirectors’reportcomplywiththeCompaniesAct

2014andenablethefinancialstatementstobeaudited.

Theyarealsoresponsibleforsafeguardingtheassets

ofthecompanyandhencefortakingreasonablesteps

forthepreventionanddetectionoffraudandother

irregularities.

Thedirectorsareresponsibleforthemaintenanceand

integrityofthecorporateandfinancialinformation

includedonthecompany’swebsite.Legislationin

Irelandgoverningthepreparationanddisseminationof

financialstatementsmaydifferfromlegislationinother

jurisdictions.

Accounting recordsThemeasurestakenbythedirectorstoensure

compliancewiththerequirementsofSections281to285

oftheCompaniesAct2014,withregardtothekeeping

ofproperaccountingrecords,aretheemploymentof

appropriatelyqualifiedaccountingpersonnelandthe

maintenanceofcomputerisedaccountingsystems.

Thecompany’saccountingrecordsaremaintainedat

thecompany’sregisteredofficeat4thFloor,Harbour

Square,DunLaoghaire,Co.Dublin.

AuditorsInaccordancewithsection383(2)oftheCompaniesAct

2014,theauditors,BDO,willcontinueinoffice.

OnbehalfoftheBoard

Director

Professor J.O. Scanlan

Director

Mr. Mark Dobbyn

Date

29April2016


Directors’Reportcontinued

WehaveauditedthefinancialstatementsofIEDomainRegistryLimitedfortheyearended31December2015whichcomprisetheProfitandLossAccount,theBalanceSheet,theStatementofCashFlowsandtherelatednotes.TherelevantfinancialreportingframeworkthathasbeenappliedintheirpreparationistheCompaniesAct2014andFRS102TheFinancialReportingStandardapplicableintheUKandRepublicofIrelandissuedbytheFinancialReportingCouncilandpromulgatedbytheInstituteofCharteredAccountantsinIreland.

Thisreportismadesolelytothecompany’smembers,asabody,inaccordancewithsection391oftheCompaniesAct2014.Ourauditworkhasbeenundertakensothatwemightstatetothecompany’smembersthosematterswearerequiredtostatetotheminanauditor’sreportandfornootherpurpose.Tothefullestextentpermittedbylaw,wedonotacceptorassumeresponsibilitytoanyoneotherthantheCompanyandtheCompany’smembersasabody,forourauditwork,forthisreport,orfortheopinionswehaveformed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditorsAsexplainedmorefullyintheDirectors’Responsibilitiesstatementsetoutonpage40,thedirectorsareresponsibleforthepreparationofthefinancialstatementsandforbeingsatisfiedthattheygiveatrueandfairviewandotherwisecomplywiththeCompaniesAct2014.OurresponsibilityistoauditandexpressanopiniononthefinancialstatementsinaccordancewithIrishlawandInternationalStandardsonAuditing(UKandIreland).ThosestandardsrequireustocomplywiththeAuditingPracticesBoard’s(APB’s)EthicalStandardsforAuditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statementsAnauditinvolvesobtainingevidenceabouttheamountsanddisclosuresinthefinancialstatementssufficienttogivereasonableassurancethatthefinancialstatementsarefreefrommaterialmisstatement,whethercausedbyfraudorerror.Thisincludesanassessmentof:whethertheaccountingpoliciesareappropriatetothecompany’scircumstancesandhavebeenconsistentlyappliedandadequatelydisclosed;thereasonablenessofsignificantaccountingestimatesmadebythedirectors;andtheoverallpresentationofthefinancialstatements.Inaddition,wereadallthefinancialandnon-financialinformationintheDirectors’Report

toidentifymaterialinconsistencieswiththeauditedfinancialstatementsandtoidentifyanyinformationthatisapparentlymateriallyincorrectbasedon,ormateriallyinconsistentwith,theknowledgeacquiredbyusinthecourseofperformingtheaudit.Ifwebecomeawareofanyapparentmaterialmisstatementsorinconsistenciesweconsidertheimplicationsforourreport.

Opinion on financial statementsInouropinionthefinancialstatements:

� giveatrueandfairviewoftheassets,liabilitiesandfinancialpositionofthecompanyasat31December2015andofitslossfortheyearthenended;and

� havebeenproperlypreparedinaccordancewiththerelevantfinancialreportingframeworkand,inparticular,therequirementsoftheCompaniesAct2014.

Matters on which we are required to report by the Companies Act 2014

� Wehaveobtainedalltheinformationandexplanationswhichweconsidernecessaryforthepurposesofouraudit.

� Inouropiniontheaccountingrecordsofthecompanyweresufficienttopermitthefinancialstatementstobereadilyandproperlyaudited.

� Thefinancialstatementsareinagreementwiththeaccountingrecords.

� InouropiniontheinformationgivenintheDirectors’Reportisconsistentwiththefinancialstatements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exceptionWehavenothingtoreportinrespectofourobligationundertheCompaniesAct2014toreporttoyouif,inouropinion,thedisclosuresofdirectors’remunerationandtransactionsspecifiedbysections305to312oftheActarenotmade.

Teresa Morahan ForandonbehalfofBDO,DublinStatutoryAuditFirm,AI223876

Date29April2016


IndependentAuditors’ReporttotheMembersofIEDomainRegistryLimited

Continuing Operations

2015 2014Notes € €

Turnover 3 2,859,722 2,723,983

Administrativeexpenses (3,376,804) (2,714,119)

Operating (loss)/profit 4 (517,082) 9,864


Unrealisedgainsonfinancialinvestment 80,941 83,078


(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation (414,697) 256,041

Taxon(loss)/profitonordinaryactivities 7 25,386 (60,000)

(Loss)/profit retained for the year (389,311) 196,041

Statement of income and retained earnings

Accumulatedprofitbroughtforward 4,106,347 3,910,306

Totalrecognised(losses)/gainsrelatingtotheyear (389,311) 196,041

Accumulatedprofitcarriedforward 3,717,036 4,106,347

ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardon29April2016andsignedonitsbehalfby:

Director Director

Professor J.O. Scanlan Mr. Mark Dobbyn


ProfitandLossAccountforthefinancialyearended31December2015

2015 2014Notes € €

Fixed Assets

Tangibleassets 8 163,762 181,141

Financialassets 9 3,159,815 3,078,874

Current Assets

Debtors 10 204,106 198,692

Cashatbankandinhand 2,597,591 3,074,096

2,801,697 3,272,788

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 (2,408,238) (2,426,456)

Net Current Assets 393,459 846,332

Total Assets less Current Liabilities 3,717,036 4,106,347

Capital and Reserves

Profitandlossaccount 3,717,036 4,106,347

Members’ Funds 3,717,036 4,106,347

ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardon29April2016andsignedonitsbehalfby:

Director Director



BalanceSheetasat31December2015

2015 2014Notes € €

Cash flows from operating activities

(Loss)/profitforthefinancialyear (389,311) 196,041

Adjustmentsfor:

Depreciation 206,908 175,108

Profitofsaleoffinancialinvestment – (132,358)

Unrealisedgainsonfinancialinvestment (80,941) (83,078)

Interestincome (21,444) (30,741)

Taxonoperatingactivities (25,386) 60,000

Decrease/(Increase)indebtors 31,504 (52,626)

(Decrease)/Increaseincreditors (25,683) 111,156

Corporationtaxpaid (12,262) (43,361)

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (316,615) 200,141

Cash flows from investing activities

Assetdisposal 596 –

Investmentdisposal – 132,358

Purchaseoftangiblefixedassets (190,125) (156,798)

Investmentacquisitions – (1,055,707)

Net cash from investing activities (189,529) (1,080,147)

Cash flows from financing activities

Interestincomereceived 29,639 57,884

Net cash used in financing activities 29,639 57,884

Netdecreaseincashandcashequivalents 14 (476,505) (822,122)

Cashatbeginningofyear 3,074,096 3,896,218

Cashatendofyear 2,597,591 3,074,096

Cash at bank 14 2,597,591 3,074,096


StatementofCashFlowsforthefinancialyearended31December2015

1. General InformationThesefinancialstatementscomprisingtheProfitandLossAccount,theBalanceSheet,theStatementofCash

Flowsandtherelatednotes1to22constitutetheindividualfinancialstatementsofIEDomainRegistryLimited

forthefinancialyearended31December2015.

IEDomainRegistryLimitedisaprivatecompanylimitedbyguaranteeanddoesnothaveasharecapital

(registeredunderPart2ofCompaniesAct2014),incorporatedintheRepublicofIreland.TheRegisteredOffice

is4thFloor,HarbourSquare,DunLaoghaire,Co.Dublin,whichisalsotheprincipalplaceofbusinessofthe

company.Thenatureofthecompany’soperationsanditsprincipalactivitiesaresetoutintheDirector’sReport

onpages38to40.

ThecompanytransitionedfrompreviouslyextantIrishGAAPtoFRS102asat1January2015.Anexplanation

ofhowthetransitiontoFRS102hasaffectedthereportedfinancialpositionandfinancialperformanceisgiven

innote21.

1.1 Statement of Compliance

ThefinancialstatementshavebeenpreparedinaccordancewithFRS102“TheFinancialReportingStandard

applicableintheUKandRepublicofIreland”(FRS102).Thesearethefirstfinancialstatementsthatcomply

withFRS102.

1.2 Currency

ThefinancialstatementshavebeenpresentedinEuro(€)whichisalsothefunctionalcurrencyofthecompany.

2. Accounting Policies

2.1. Accounting convention

Thefinancialstatementshavebeenpreparedonthegoingconcernbasisandinaccordancewiththehistorical

costconventionmodifiedtoincludecertainitemsatfairvalue.Thefinancialreportingframeworkthathas

beenappliedintheirpreparationistheCompaniesAct2014andFRS102TheFinancialReportingStandard

applicableintheUKandRepublicofIrelandissuedbytheFinancialReportingCouncilandpromulgatedby

theInstituteofCharteredAccountantsinIreland.

2.2 Consolidation

Thecompanyanditssubsidiarycombinedmeettheexemptioncriteriaforagroupandthecompanyis

thereforeexemptfromtherequirementtoprepareconsolidatedfinancialstatementsbyvirtueofSection297

oftheCompaniesAct2014.Consequently,thesefinancialstatementsdealwiththeresultsofthecompany

asasingleentity.

2.3. Turnover

Turnoverrepresentsthetotalinvoicevalue,excludingvalueaddedtax,ofsalesforthefinancialyearended

31December2015.Thecompany’spolicyofdeferringrevenueresultsinincomebeingrecordedintheperiod

towhichthefeeinvoicerelates,ratherthantheperiodinwhichthefeeinvoicewasraised.Thispolicyhasbeen

maintainedduringtheyearended31December2015.AllturnoverderivesfromactivitiesintheRepublicof

Ireland.


NotestotheFinancialStatementsforthefinancialyearended31December2015

2. Accounting Policies continued

2.4. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangiblefixedassetsarestatedatcostlessaccumulateddepreciation.Thechargefordepreciationisprovided

atratescalculatedtowriteoffthecostlessresidualvalueofeachassetoveritsexpectedusefullifefromdate

ofacquisitionasfollows:

LeaseholdImprovements – overthelifeoftheunderlyinglease

FixturesandFittings – 25%StraightLine

ComputerEquipment – 33%StraightLine

Thecarryingvaluesoftangiblefixedassetsarereviewedannuallyforimpairmentifeventsorchangesin

circumstancesindicatethecarryingvaluemaynotberecoverable.

2.5. Pensions

Thepensioncostschargedinthefinancialstatementsrepresentthecontributionspayablebythecompany

duringtheyeartoadefinedcontributionpensionschemeforthebenefitofalleligibleemployees.

2.6. Leasing and hire purchase commitments

Assetsobtainedunderhirepurchasecontractsandfinanceleasesarecapitalisedastangibleassetsand

depreciatedovertheshorteroftheleasetermandtheirusefullives.Obligationsundersuchagreementsare

includedincreditorsnetofthefinancechargeallocatedtofutureperiods.Thefinanceelementoftherental

paymentischargedtotheprofitandlossaccountsoastoproduceconstantperiodicratesofchargeonthenet

obligationsoutstandingineachperiod.

2.7. Taxation

Thechargefortaxationisbasedontheprofitfortheyear.Fullprovisionfordeferredtaxisprovidedatcurrent

taxratesondifferencesthatarisebetweentherecognitionofgainsandlossesinthefinancialstatementsand

theirrecognitioninthetaxcomputation.

2.8. Financial Instruments

Unlisted Investments

Thecompanyholdsinvestmentsinunlistednon-puttableequitysharesofanumberofentities.Itisconsidered

bythedirectorsthatthefairvalueofthesesharescanbemeasuredreliably.Theaccountingpolicychanged

during2015torecordinvestmentsatmarktomarket.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cashconsistsofcashonhandanddemanddeposits.Cashequivalentsconsistofshorttermhighlyliquid

investmentsthatarereadilyconvertibletoknownamountsofcashthataresubjecttoaninsignificantriskof

changeinvalue.

Other financial assets

Otherfinancialassetsincludingtradedebtorsforgoodssoldtocustomersonshort-termcredit,areinitially

measuredattheundiscountedamountofcashreceivablefromthatcustomer,whichisnormallytheinvoice

price,andaresubsequentlymeasuredatamortisedcostlessimpairment,wherethereisobjectiveevidenceof

animpairment.


NotestotheFinancialStatementscontinued

2. Accounting Policies continued

Loans and borrowings

Allloansandborrowings,bothassetsandliabilitiesareinitiallyrecordedatthepresentvalueofcashpayable

tothelenderinsettlementoftheliabilitydiscountedatthemarketinterestrate.Subsequentlyloansand

borrowingsarestatedatamortisedcostusingtheeffectiveinterestratemethod.Thecomputationofamortised

costincludesanyissuecosts,transactioncostsandfees,andanydiscountorpremiumonsettlement,andthe

effectofthisistoamortisetheseamountsovertheexpectedborrowingperiod.Loanswithnostatedinterest

rateandrepayablewithinoneyearorondemandarenotamortised.Loansandborrowingsareclassifiedas

currentassetsorliabilitiesunlesstheborrowerhasanunconditionalrighttodefersettlementoftheliability

foratleasttwelvemonthsafterthefinancialyearenddate.

Other financial liabilities

Tradecreditorsaremeasuredatinvoiceprice,unlesspaymentisdeferredbeyondnormalbusinesstermsor

isfinancedatarateofinterestthatisnotamarketrate.Inthiscasethearrangementconstitutesafinancing

transaction,andthefinancialliabilityismeasuredatthepresentvalueofthefuturepaymentsdiscountedata

marketrateofinterestforasimilardebtinstrument.

Impairment of financial assets

Attheendofeachreportingperiod,thecompanyassesseswhetherthereisobjectiveevidenceofimpairment

ofanyfinancialassetsthataremeasuredatcostoramortisedcost,includingunlistedinvestments,loans,

tradedebtorsandcash.Ifthereisobjectiveevidenceofimpairment,impairmentlossesarerecognisedinthe

ProfitandLossaccountinthatfinancialyear.

2.9 Judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Thedirectorsconsidertheaccountingestimatesandassumptionsbelowtobeitscriticalaccountingestimates

andjudgements:

Going Concern

Thedirectorshavepreparedbudgetsandcashflowsforaperiodofatleasttwelvemonthsfromthedateofthe

approvalofthefinancialstatementswhichdemonstratethatthereisnomaterialuncertaintyregardingthe

company’sabilitytomeetitsliabilitiesastheyfalldue,andtocontinueasagoingconcern.Onthisbasisthe

directorsconsideritappropriatetopreparethefinancialstatementsonagoingconcernbasis.Accordingly,

thesefinancialstatementsdonotincludeanyadjustmentstothecarryingamountsandclassificationofassets

andliabilitiesthatmayariseifthecompanywasunabletocontinueasagoingconcern.

Useful Lives of Tangible and Intangible Fixed Assets

Long-livedassetscomprisingprimarilyofproperty,plantandmachineryandintangibleassetsdonotrepresent

asignificantportionoftotalassets.Theannualdepreciationandamortisationchargedependsprimarilyonthe

estimatedlivesofeachtypeofassetand,incertaincircumstances,estimatesofresidualvalues.Thedirectors

regularlyreviewtheseusefullivesandchangethemifnecessarytoreflectcurrentconditions.Indetermining

theseusefullivesmanagementconsidertechnologicalchange,patternsofconsumption,physicalcondition

andexpectedeconomicutilisationoftheassets.Changesintheusefullivescanhaveasignificantimpacton

thedepreciationandamortisationchargeforthefinancialyear.ThenetbookvalueoftangibleFixedAssets

subjecttodepreciationatthefinancialyearenddatewas€163,762(2014–€181,141).


3. Turnover

2015 2014€ €

Turnover 2,859,722 2,723,983

Analysisofturnoverbycountryofdestination:

RepublicofIreland 2,453,916 2,326,617

Europe 196,117 192,109

NorthAmerica 109,571 92,491

UnitedKingdom 85,344 99,984

RestoftheWorld 14,774 12,782

2,859,722 2,723,983

4. Operating (loss)/profit

2015 2014€ €

Theoperating(loss)/profitisarrivedataftercharging:

Depreciationandwrite-offoftangibleassets 206,908 175,108

Auditors’remuneration – Audit 13,230 14,175

– Taxadvisoryservices 2,362 4,342

Directors’remuneration 75,000 75,000

Secretarialfees 39,000 39,000

Theoperating(loss)/profitreflectsexpenditureof€508,000duringtheyearended31December2015.The

companyestablisheda2015StrategicDevelopmentFundwithadedicatedbudgetof€618,000tofinancea

setofpromotion,marketingandcustomerserviceinitiativestomeetthestrategicobjectivesandprioritiesof

expansionandprotectionofthe.ienamespace.Thisfundfinancedanintegratedradioanddigitalawareness

campaign,anextensionofthesuccessfulOPTIMISEprogram,publicationsbackedbyrobustindependent

research,newservicesforcustomersandtheinauguralIrelandInternetDay.



5. Directors’ remuneration and transactions

5(a). Directors’ remuneration

Includedinemploymentcostsarethefollowinginrespectofdirectorsandkeymanagementpersonnelofthe

company:

2015 2014€ €

Emolumentsinrespectofqualifyingservices 598,596 500,802

CompanycontributionsinrespectofqualifyingservicestoPensionSchemeFund,adefinedcontributionbenefitretirementscheme 32,484 32,353

631,080 533,155

ThenumberofdirectorsandmanagementtowhomretirementbenefitsareaccruingunderPensionScheme

Fundinrespectofqualifyingservicesis3(2014–3).

Otherthanasshownaboveanyfurtherrequireddisclosuresinsections305and306oftheCompaniesAct2014

are€NILforbothfinancialyears.

5(b). Transactions with directors and officers

Loans to directors

Therewerenoloansmadetodirectorsduringthefinancialyear.

5(c). Material interests of directors in contracts with the company

Therewerenomaterialinterestsofdirectorsinanycontractswiththecompany.

5(d). Employees

Number of employees

Theaveragemonthlynumbersofemployeesduringtheyearwere:

2015 2014Number Number

Administration 19 20

Employment costs

2015 2014€ €

Wagesandsalaries 1,305,449 1,180,980

Socialsecuritycosts 116,865 112,862

Otherpensioncosts 40,659 41,028

1,462,973 1,334,870


6. Pension costsThecompanyoperatesadefinedcontributionpensionschemeforthebenefitofalleligibleemployees.

Theassetsoftheschemearevestedinindependenttrusteesforthesolebenefitofthoseeligibleemployees.

Theotherpensioncostschargerepresentscontributionspayablebythecompanytothefundandamounted

to€40,659(2014–€41,028).

7. Taxation

7(a). Current year taxation

2015 2014€ €

Current year taxation

Corporationtaxonthe(loss)/profitfortheyearonOrdinaryactivities – 61,101

Adjustmentinrespectofpreviousfinancialyear (25,386) (1,101)

(25,386) 60,000

7(b). Factors affecting tax charge for year

2015 2014€ €

(Loss)/profitonordinaryactivitiesbeforetax (414,697) 256,041

(Loss)/profitonordinaryactivitiesmultipliedbyStandardrateofCorporationTaxinIrelandof12.5% (51,837) 32,005

Effectsof:

Expensesnotallowablefortaxpurposes 124 125

Capitalallowancesforperiod(greaterthan)/lessthandepreciation 7,793 4,824

Depositinterestathigherratesoftaxation 4,649 12,161

Profitonsaleofinvestmentsathigherratesoftaxation – 21,890

Generalprovisionsnotallowedfortaxpurposes 150 158

Movementinfinancialinvestmentvaluationunrealised–sonotchargeablefortaxpurposes (10,118) (10,062)

Lossesusedagainstcurrentyearandprecedingyearprofitspluslossesavailableforfutureuse 49,239 –

Adjustmentsinrespectofpreviousfinancialyear (25,386) (1,101)

Currenttaxchargeforyear(Note7(a)) (25,386) 60,000



8. Tangible assets

Current Financial YearLeasehold

ImprovementsComputer

EquipmentFixtures

and Fittings Total€ € € €

Cost:

At1January2015 53,354 1,090,672 18,329 1,162,355

Additions – 188,101 2,024 190,125

Write-outofretiredassets – (3,432) – (3,432)

At31December2015 53,354 1,275,341 20,353 1,349,048

Depreciation:

At1January2015 42,684 922,663 15,867 981,214

Chargefortheyear 10,670 194,977 1,261 206,908

Write-outofretiredassets – (2,836) – (2,836)

At31December2015 53,354 1,114,804 17,128 1,185,286

Net book values

At31December2015 – 160,537 3,225 163,762

At1January2015 10,670 168,009 2,462 181,141

Prior Financial YearLeasehold

ImprovementsComputer

EquipmentFixtures

and Fittings Total€ € € €

Cost:

At1January2014 53,354 966,069 18,688 1,038,111

Additions – 156,798 – 156,798

Write-outofretiredassets – (32,195) (359) (32,554)

At31December2014 53,354 1,090,672 18,329 1,162,355

Depreciation:

At1January2014 32,013 793,985 12,662 838,660

Chargefortheyear 10,671 160,873 3,564 175,108

Write-outofretiredassets – (32,195) (359) (32,554)

At31December2014 42,684 922,663 15,867 981,214

Net book values

At31December2014 10,670 168,009 2,462 181,141

At1January2014 21,341 172,084 6,026 199,451

TheaccountingpolicyforthedepreciationoftangibleassetsisoutlinedinNote2.4.Therearenoassetsheld

underfinanceleasesorhirepurchasecontractsat31December2015(2014–€NIL).


9. Financial assetsFinancial assets

2015 2014Note € €

FinancialInvestmentsatFairValuethroughProfitorLoss (a) 3,109,715 3,028,774

Sharesinsubsidiaryundertakings (b) 50,100 50,100

3,159,815 3,078,874

9(a). Financial investments

Unlisted2015

€

Aspreviouslyreported:

At1January2014

Cost 3,055,707

ImpairmentProvision (29,512)

3,026,195

PriorYearAdjustment 2,579

AsRestatedatMarktoMarket31December2014 3,028,774

Unrealisedgainsarisingin2015 80,941

At31December2015 3,109,715

Mark to Market Value:

At31December2015 3,109,715

At31December2014 3,028,774

Otherfinancialinvestmentsrepresenttheinvestmentforthelongterminconservativemanagedfunds,

diversifiedacrossthreeIrishinvestmentmanagers.In2015theaccountingpolicyforotherfinancial

investmentschangedtoaMarktoMarketvaluationbasisasoutlinedinNote2.8.Apreviousprovisionfor

impairmentamountingto€29,512hasbeenreleasedtotheprofitandlossaccount.

Themarketvalueofthefinancialinvestmentsat31December2015was€3,109,715(2014–€3,028,774).In

accordancewiththechangeinaccountingpolicyforotherfinancialinvestmentsoutlinedinNote2.8thevalue

ofotherfinancialinvestmentsisrecordedatthemarketvalue.



9. Financial assets continued

9(b). Shares in subsidiary undertakings

Thecompanyholds100%ofthesharecapitalofthefollowingcompanies:

Name of subsidiary

Country of Registration or incorporation

Shares held class

Principal Activity

IENUMLimited Ireland OrdinaryandPreference

ENUMRegistry

.IERegistryLimited Ireland Ordinary Nottrading

DomainRegistryIELimited Ireland Ordinary Nottrading

IEDRLimited Ireland Ordinary Nottrading

TheIrishNationalDomainRegistryLimited Ireland Ordinary Nottrading

Theaggregateamountofcapitalandreservesandtheresultsofthisundertakingfortheyearended

31December2015wereasfollows:

Capital and Reserves

Profit for the year

€ €

IENUMLimited 50,100 Nil

.IERegistryLimited 127 Nil

DomainRegistryIELimited 127 Nil

IEDRLimited 127 Nil

TheIrishNationalDomainRegistryLimited 127 Nil

Fourofthesubsidiarieswereplacedinvoluntarystrikeoffin2016,asdisclosedinnote15,postbalancesheet

events.

10. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year

2015 2014€ €

Corporationtaxrecoverable 29,094 –

Prepaymentsandaccruedincome 175,012 198,692

204,106 198,692


11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2015 2014Note € €

Tradecreditors (a) 90,717 83,528

Othercreditors 217,340 246,049

Corporationtaxpayable – 8,554

Othertaxesandsocialsecuritycosts 1,881 37,510

Accruals (b) 127,576 216,742

Deferredincome (c) 1,970,724 1,834,073

2,408,238 2,426,456

Othertaxesandsocialsecuritycostsinclude:

€ €

VAT 1,881 37,510

1,881 37,510

11(a). Therepaymenttermsoftradecreditorsvarybetweenondemandandninetydays.Nointerestispayableon

tradecreditors.Taxandsocialinsurancearesubjecttothetermsoftherelevantlegislation.Interestaccrues

onlatepaymentattherateof0.0322%foreachdayorpartofadayforwhichpaymentisoverdue.Nointerest

wasdueatthefinancialyearenddate.

11(b). Thetermsoftheaccrualsarebasedontheunderlyingcontracts.Otheramountsincludedwithincreditorsnot

coveredbyspecificnotedisclosuresareunsecured,interestfreeandrepayableondemand.

11(c). TheaccountingpolicyfordeferredincomeisoutlinedinNote2.3.

12. GuaranteeParent Company Guarantee

On18December2006,thecompany’ssubsidiaryIENUMLimitedsignedanagreementwiththeCommission

forCommunicationsRegulation(ComReg)toprovidethenationalENUMregistryserviceforIreland.At

31December2015,thecompanyisthesoleGuarantoroftheobligationsofitssubsidiaryIENUMLimited.



13. CommitmentsOperating lease commitments

Totalfutureminimumleasepaymentsundernon-cancellableoperatingleasesareasfollows:

Premises Premises2015 2014

€ €

Expiring:

Withinoneyear 41,823 83,645

Betweentwoandfiveyears – 41,823

Morethanfiveyears – –

41,823 125,468

Capital commitments

Thecompanyhasnocapitalcommitmentsat31December2015(2014–€NIL).

14. Analysis of changes in cash at bank

Opening balance

Cash flow

Closing balance

€ € €

Cashatbankandinhand 644,335 (463,525) 180,810

Depositaccounts 2,429,761 (12,980) 2,416,781

Netfunds 3,074,096 (476,505) 2,597,591

15. Post balance sheet eventsOn11February2016,thecompanyplaceditsdormantsubsidiaries.IERegistryLimitedIreland,Domain

RegistryIELimited,IEDRLimitedandTheIrishNationalDomainRegistryLimitedinvoluntarystrikeoff.Allof

thesesubsidiarieshadbeennon-tradingandtheirvalueshadbeenwrittendownto€Nilat31December2015.

Therearenoothermaterialpostbalancesheetevents.

16. Contingent liabilitiesTherearenocontingentliabilitiesat31December2015.

17. Company structureThecompanyislimitedbyguaranteeanddoesnothaveasharecapital.


18. Controlling partiesThecompanyiscontrolledbyitsmembers.At31December2015thesevendirectorsandtheCompany

Secretaryarethemembers.

19. Comparative figuresCertaincomparativefigureshavebeenrestatedforconsistentpresentationwithcurrentyearfigures.

20. Financial instrumentsTheanalysisofthecarryingamountsofthefinancialinstrumentsofthecompanyrequiredundersection11

ofFRS102isasfollows:

2015 2014€ €

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financialinvestments 3,159,815 3,078,874

Financial assets that are debt instruments measured at amortised cost

Cashatbankandinhand 2,597,591 3,074,096

Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

Tradecreditors 90,717 83,528

21. Transition to FRS 102Reconciliation of capital and reserves

1 Jan 2014 31 Dec 2014€ €

Capitalandreserves(aspreviouslystated) 3,910,306 4,103,768

InvestmentsatMarktoMarketValue – 2,579

Capitalandreservesasrestated 3,910,306 4,106,347



21. Transition to FRS 102 continuedReconciliation of profit and loss

Financial Year Ended

31 Dec 2014

Profitforthefinancialyear(aspreviouslystated) 193,462

Effectoftransition:

SwitchtoMarktoMarketvaluationofinvestments 2,579

Profitforthefinancialyear(asre-statedunderFRS102) 196,041

In2015theaccountingpolicyforotherfinancialinvestmentschangedtoMarktoMarketvaluationbasis

asoutlinedinNote2.8.

Inaccordancewiththechangeinaccountingpolicyforotherfinancialinvestments,thefinancialinvestment

figureforthefinancialyearended31December2014hasbeenre-statedtoreflectthemarketvalueat

31December2014.

22. Approval of financial statementsThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardon29April2016andsignedonitsbehalfby:

Director Director


Date:

29April2016


.ie accredited RegistrarAn.ieaccreditedRegistrarisacompanyauthorisedby

theIEDRtoactasagentforregistrantswhorequirea

.iewebaddress..ieaccreditedRegistrarsincludeHSPs,

ISPsandwebdevelopmentcompanies.Thefulllistof.ie

accreditedRegistrarscanbefoundathttps://www.iedr.

ie/register-a-domain/accredited-registrar-list/.

AnycastAnycastisamethodologyforaddressingmultiple

serverswiththesameIPaddress.Dataistransmittedto

theclosestorbestreceiverinlinewithpredetermined

criteria.Onebenefitisthatadenialofserviceattackcan

be“localised”andthereforecontained.

ccTLDNationaltop-leveldomains,countrycodetop-level

domains(ccTLD),arebasedontheInternational

OrganisationforStandardisation’s(ISO)country

codes.Nationaltop-leveldomainscomprisetwo

letters,forexample.ieforIrelandor.deforGermany.

CENTRCENTR(AssociationofEuropeanNationalTop-Level

Registries).CENTRisanot-for-profitorganisation

dedicatedtosupportingtheinterestsofcountrycode

TLDmanagers.TheobjectivesofCENTRaretopromote

andparticipateinthedevelopmentofhighstandardsand

bestpracticesamongccTLDRegistries.www.centr.org.

Class and categoryThe.iedatabaserecordsinformationontheclassof

registrantandthedifferentcategoriesofdomainnames

beingregistered.Thisisrepresentedbyeightdifferent

classesofregistrantandelevendifferentcategoriesof

domainnamebeingregistered.

ComRegTheCommissionforCommunicationsRegulation

(ComReg)isthegeneralcommunicationsregulatorfor

Ireland,withresponsibilityformobile,fixedlineand

postalservices.

CRSIEDR’sautomatedCoreRegistrySystem,whichdeals

withallregistrations,transfers,modifications,billing

andnon-renewalof.iedomainnames.

DNSTheDomainNameSystem(DNS)isaninternational

hierarchicaldistributeddatabaseusedtotranslate

domainnames,suchasiedr.ietoIPaddresses

(77.72.74.147)tolocateinformationaboutresourceson

theInternet.

DNSSECDNSSEC(DNSSecurityExtension)isasupplementary

servicetodomainnamesthatmakesitpossibletocheck

thattheDNSinformationstemsfromthecorrectsender

andhasnotbeenalteredduringitstransmission.When

DNSSECisinuse,thecomputersubmittingaquery

(e.g.anInternetbrowser)isabletodeterminewhether

thereplyprovidedforanInternetaddressintheDNS

actuallycomesfromtheserverthatisregisteredwith

IEDRasbeingtheauthoritativeserver.

Domain nameAdomainnameisauniquename,whichisoftenlinked

toawebsiteore-mail.Thedomainnameistranslated

intheDNStoanIPaddressbeforeanyInternet

communicationcanoccur.Aregistereddomainnameis

adomainnameheldbyaspecificregistrantfollowingan

applicationprocess.

GACICANNreceivesinputfromgovernmentsthroughthe

GovernmentalAdvisoryCommittee(GAC).TheGAC’skey

roleistoprovideadvicetoICANNonissuesofpublic

policyandespeciallywheretheremaybeaninteraction

betweenICANN’sactivitiesorpoliciesandnationallaws

orinternationalagreements.

gTLDGenerictop-leveldomains(gTLDs),suchas.com,.net

and.orgaretop-leveldomainsthatarenottiedtoa

countryorgeographicterritory.


GlossaryofTerms



http://www.centr.org

IANAIANA(InternetAssignedNumbersAuthority)is

responsiblefortheglobalcoordinationoftheDNSRoot,

IPaddressing,andotherInternetprotocolresources.

ICANNICANN(InternetCorporationforAssignedNamesand

Numbers).Aninternationalnot-for-profit,privatesector

organisationcreatedtoco-ordinatefourkeyfunctions

oftheInternet:managingthedomainnamessystem,

allocatingIPaddresses,assigningprotocolparameters

andmanagingtherootserversystem.

IDNInternationalisedDomainNames(IDN).Untilrecently,

theRootZonewaslimitedtoasetofcharacters

conformingtoUS-ASCII(AmericanStandardCodefor

InformationInterchange)or“Latin”alphabets.This

changedwiththeintroductionofInternationalised

DomainNames(IDNs),whichintroducedtop-level

domains(TLDs)indifferentscriptsandenabledInternet

userstoaccessdomainnamesintheirownlanguage.

IGFTheInternetGovernanceForum(IGF)wasestablishedin

2006bytheUnitedNationstocreateaforumforInternet

governancepolicyissues.Stakeholdersrepresent

countries,commerceandsocietyingeneral.

IPv4InternetProtocolversion4(IPv4)isthefourthversion

inthedevelopmentoftheInternetProtocol(IP)and

routesmosttrafficontheInternet.However,asuccessor

protocol,IPv6,hasbeendefinedandisatanadvanced

stageofproductiondeployment.

IPv6InternetProtocolversion6(IPv6)isthelatestversionof

theInternetProtocol(IP),thecommunicationsprotocol

thatprovidesanidentificationandlocationsystemfor

computersonnetworksandroutestrafficacrossthe

Internet.

NameserverNameserversarecomputerswithsoftwarethatstores

and/ordistributesdomains(zones)andwhichacceptand

answerdomainnamequestions.Whenauserwishes

tosurftowww.iedr.ieforexample,theuser’scomputer

sendsaquestiontoanameserveronwhichinformation

regardingiedr.ieislocated.

PACTheBoardoftheIEDRestablishedaPolicyAdvisory

Committee(PAC)in2014toconsiderandprovideadvice

onpolicyissuesconcerningIreland’sInternettop-level

domain,.ie.ThePolicyAdvisoryCommitteeoperatesin

linewiththePolicyDevelopmentProcess(PDP).

PDPIEDR’s10StepPolicyDevelopmentProcess(PDP)for

the.ienamespace.ThePDPisaformalprocesswhichis

consensusdriven,transparentandallowsforbottom-up

proposalsfromthewiderInternetcommunity.


RegistrantTheindividualorlegalentityregisteredwiththerightto

usethe.iedomainname.

RegistryAregistryisacompanyororganisationresponsible

fortheadministrationandoperationofatop-level

domain.IEDRistheactiveregistryoperatorresponsible

foradministrationandtechnicaloperationofthe.ie

domainandensuresthatallregistered.iedomainsare

accessibleviatheInternet.

VMwareVMwareisaproviderofvirtualisationsoftware.Itisa

USbasedcompanywhichismajorityownedbyEMC.

VMwaresoftwareprovidesacompletelyvirtualisedset

ofhardware.Onelargeservercanreplacedozensof

smallerspecific-purposeservers.

Zone and zone fileAzoneisthedelimitationoftheadministrative

responsibilityforadomaintree.Azonefileisadatafile

comprisingthenecessaryzoneinformationtoenable

theuseofDNSaddressing.Thezonefilesarestored

onauthoritativenameserversthataredistributed

throughouttheInternet.


http://www.iedr.ie


.ie

Recognised globally as identifiably Irish.

.ie

It tells the global community you are Irish

and tells the Irish community you are local.

A .ie domain name makes you or your company instantly recognisable as Irish.

IED

R A

NN

UA

L R

EP

OR

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RE

VIE

W 2015

Clever Cat Design

Tel 00353(0)12365400Fax 00353(0)12300365Email [email protected] www.iedr.ie

IEDomainRegistryLimited2HarbourSquare,DunLaoghaireCoDublin,A96D6RO,Ireland

http://www.clevercat.ie

http://www.iedr.ie

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.iedr.ie

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