Public can give views on new .ie sale plan Pic: PixabayPublic can give views on new .ie sale plan Pic: Pixabay

Company sees increased demand for .ie addresses

The company which manages the .ie internet address has asked for feedback on a new policy to allow the private sale of .ie domains.

IEDR said the policy, known as “secondary market”, had arisen from an increased demand for .ie domains, and a need to protect the public from unauthorised .ie domain sellers.

Under the proposed policy, an owner of a .ie domain will be able to sell it on to a private buyer, via their original registrar, providing the buyer meets the .ie domain ownership criteria – namely, having a provable connection to Ireland.

IEDR said the private sale of national domains was already allowed in many other countries, including Britain, Germany and Australia. The precise mechanism of the .ie domain sale process will be announced after completion of the consultation. Interested parties can make submissions until August 16.

"By creating a regulated secondary market, we are providing increased access to a respected and valued domain while protecting consumers from rogue traders," said IEDR chief executive David Curtin.