Niamh Hodnett

Niamh Hodnett was appointed as a Commissioner to the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in May 2026 following an open competition. She previously served as Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, having been appointed in 2023 when the organization was established. During her tenure, she grew the organization from 40 staff at inception to over 300.

As Ireland's first Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh oversaw the roll-out of Ireland's Online Safety Framework and led the development of the Online Safety Code, alongside the designation of video-sharing platform services. She currently chairs the Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN). She also established Coimisiún na Meán's Youth Advisory Committee.

Hodnett holds an undergraduate degree in Law and German, and has extensive litigation experience from roles at the European Commission, An Post, Matheson, and ComReg. She studied Law and German at UCC and has a master's in law from Universität Passau in Germany. She has co-authored European Law published by Oxford University Press and Regulatory Law in Ireland published by Tottel. She undertook executive training at the Irish Management Institute and studied for a Law Society Diploma in Judicial and Legal Decision-Making.

Career history

• Commissioner, Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) – 2026 to present
• Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán – 2023 to 2026
• Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, Premier Lotteries (National Lottery) – prior to 2023
• Head of Regulatory Affairs, Three Ireland – prior role
• Senior Legal Advisor, Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) – prior role

What Niamh Hodnett could bring to ComReg: Hodnett brings considerable experience in designing, enforcing and managing compliance with regulatory obligations at both Irish and EU level, along with deep expertise across online safety, data protection, cybersecurity, competition, consumer protection and communications regulation. Her track record establishing regulatory frameworks from inception (having helped build Coimisiún na Meán from startup to 300-person organization) and her international experience at firms in Brussels and Sydney position her well to navigate ComReg's role regulating an increasingly critical industry.