‘Units’ in this database are national-level organisations which perform public functions under public authority. These include government departments, agencies, and commercial state-owned enterprises. For further details on the types of organisations included in the database, see the what we have done and why document.
Units can be searched by name, legal form, function, policy area, or date. On each unit’s page, information is available including dates of activity, alternate names, relevant legislation, related units, related events. and also data on characteristics such as legal form, policy area, function, accountability mechanisms, location, and parent bodies. For further details on the data recorded about each unit, see the Codebook
54 results
Name
| From
| To
| Description
| Source
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioners of Irish Lights | 1867-01-01 | Under the Dublin Port Act (1867), responsibility for lighthouses, lightships, buoys and beacons around the coast of Ireland was vested in the Commissioners of Irish Lights. The British-Irish Act 1999 provided for merge with Foyle Fisheries Commission into the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission as the 'Lights Agency' however this did not take place (see http://www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org/index/north-south-implementation-bodies/foyle_carlingford-and-irish-lights.htm) | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.cil.ie/; " An Act for Promoting the Trade of Dublin, by rendering its Port and Harbour more commodious, 1786"; "Merchant Shipping Act of 1854"; "Dublin Port Act (1867); No. 661/1935: Irish Lights Commissioners (Adaptation) Order, 1935; No. 37/1997: MERCHANT SHIPPING (COMMISSIONERS OF IRISH LIGHTS) ACT, 1997; British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 | |
| Aer Lingus | 1936-05-22 | 1993-12-21 | Aer Lingus and Aerlinte Eireann restructured in 1993 into Aer Lingus Group plc. | http://www.aerlingus.com/; Air Navigation and Transport Act 1936; Air Companies (Amendment) Act, 1993 |
| Córas Iompair Éireann | 1945-01-01 | Was established in 1944 as limited company, but converted to Statutory Corporation in 1950. Formed from the dissolution of the Great Southern Railways Company and the Dublin United Transport Company, Limited. Also took over the functions of the Board of Control of the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal Company. It currently consists of three subsidiary public companies: Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail; Bus Éireann-Irish Bus; Bus Átha Cliath-Dublin Bus. Former statutory subsidiaries are Aerlód Teoranta and Óstlanna Iompair Eireann Teo. | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.cie.ie/; Various Transport Acts starting with 1950 , especially Transport Act 1974 and Transport (Re-organization of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986 | |
| Shannon Development | 1959-01-28 | 2014-09-05 | While Shannon Development's primary reporting line is to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, they also liaise with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland in their role as the Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region. Responsibility for tourism and aviation were delegated under S.I. No. 94/1987. On 5 Septemnber 2014 Shannon Development became part of Shannon Group plc and was renamed Shannon Commercial Enterprises DAC (Trading as Shannon Commercial Properties) and Shannon Developments previous enterprise support, employment development and tourism functions were transferred to the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.shannon-dev.ie/; Shannon Free Airport Development Company Ltd. Act, 1959; www.shannongroup.ie; www.gov.ie; State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014; S.I. No. 396/2014 |
| Medical Bureau of Road Safety | 1968-11-27 | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.ucd.ie/legalmed/mbrs.html; Road Traffic Act 1968; S.I. No. 241/1968 | ||
| Dublin Bus | 1987-02-02 | Prior to 1987, didn't exist as a separate subsidiary company, but as a part of CIÉ. In 1987 was given a new status: an operating subsidiary company with CIÉ as a holding company | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.dublinbus.ie/; The Transport (Re-organization of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986 | |
| Iarnród Éireann | 1987-02-02 | Prior to 1987, didn't exist as a separate subsidiary company, but as a part of the CIÉ. In 1987 was given a new status: an operating subsidiary company with the CIÉ as a holding company | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.irishrail.ie/; The Transport (Re-organization of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986 | |
| Bus Éireann | 1987-02-02 | Prior to 1987, didn't exist as a separate subsidiary company, but as a part of the CIÉ. In 1987 was given a new status: an operating subsidiary company with the CIÉ as a holding company | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.buseireann.ie/; The Transport (Re-organization of Córas Iompair Éireann) Act 1986 | |
| Department of Transport (II) | 2002-06-19 | 2011-04-02 | http://www.transport.ie/; S.I. No. 305/2002; S.I. No. 141/2011 | |
| Irish Aviation Authority | 1994-01-01 | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.iaa.ie/; Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 | ||
| National Roads Authority | 1993-12-23 | 2015-08-01 | Dissolved, merged into Transport Infrastructure Ireland | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.nra.ie/; Roads Act 1993; S.I. No. 407/1993; Roads Act 2015; S.I. No. 297 of 2015 |
| Dublin Transportation Office | 1995-11-09 | 2009-12-01 | Legislation to replace Dublin Transport Office with Dublin Transport Authority (Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008) enacted on same day as legislation to rename Dublin Transport Authority as National Transport Authority (Public Transport Regulation Act 2009) | McGauran et al. 2005; The Dublin Transportation Office (Establishment ) Order: S.I. No. 289/1995; S.I. No. 474/2009 |
| Department of Transport, Energy and Communications | 1993-01-22 | 1997-07-11 | S.I. No. 17/1993; S.I. No. 299/1997; http://www.transport.ie/; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1 | |
| Department of Transport (I) | 1980-01-25 | 1984-01-02 | Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 11/1980; Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1983 | |
| Department of Tourism and Transport (II) | 1987-03-20 | 1991-02-06 | S.I. 83/1987; S.I. 25/1991; http://www.transport.ie/; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1 | |
| Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications | 1991-02-07 | 1993-01-22 | http://www.transport.ie/; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1; S.I. No. 25/1991; S.I. No. 17/1993 | |
| Department of Tourism and Transport (I) | 1977-09-24 | 1980-01-24 | Tourism policy responsibility transferred to Industry, Commerce and Tourism in 1980 | Coakley & Gallagher 2005; S.I. No. 305/1977; S.I. No. 11/1980 |
| Waterways Ireland | 1999-12-02 | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.waterwaysireland.org/; the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 | ||
| Shannon Foynes Port Company | 2000-09-18 | Was formed by the amalgamation of Shannon Estuary Ports and Foynes Port Company under the Harbours Act 2000. Shannon Estuary Ports was established by the Harbours Act 1996 from the former Limerick Harbour Commissioners. Foynes Port Company was est. by the Harbours act 1996 from the former Foynes Harbour Trustees | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.sfpc.ie/; Harbours Act 2000; S.I. 283/2000 | |
| Commission for Aviation Regulation | 2001-02-27 | 2023-05-01 | The Commission for Aviation Regulation was dissolved and its functions transferred to the Irish Aviation Authority on 1 May 2023 | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.aviationreg.ie/; Aviation Regulation Act 2001; S.I. No. 219/2023 |
| Railway Procurement Agency | 2001-12-01 | 2015-08-01 | Dissolved, merged into Transport Infrastructure Ireland | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.rpa.ie/; Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001; Roads Act 2015; S.I. No. 297 of 2015 |
| British and Irish Steam Packet Company, Ltd | 1965-03-15 | 1992-01-01 | First founded in 1836, nationalized in 1965, privatized in 1992--taken over by Irish Ferries (division of Irish Continental Group) | Palcic and Reeves, 2007; British & Irish Steam Packet Company Limited (Acquisition) Act, 1965 |
| Shannon Estuary Ports | 1997-03-03 | 2000-09-18 | Death by merge into Shannon Foynes Port Company | Harbours Act 1996; the Harbours Act 2000; S.I. No. 283/2000; http://www.sfpc.ie/ |
| Foynes Port Company | 1997-03-03 | 2000-09-18 | Death by merge into Shannon Foynes Port Company | Harbours Act 1996; the Harbours Act 2000; http://www.sfpc.ie/ |
| Commission for Taxi Regulation | 2004-09-01 | 2011-01-01 | Its powers were significantly extended on the basis of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Part3) (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No.610/2005) | Taxi Regulation Act 2003; S.I. No. 610/2005; Public Transport Regulation Act 2009; S.I. No. 614/2010 |
| daa | 2004-10-01 | In October 2004 Dublin Airport Authority assumed responsibility for all the assets, liabilities and contracts of the former Aer Rianta. In 2014 Dublin Airport Authority was renamed daa under the State Airports Shannon Group) Act 2014. | State Airports Act 2004; http://www.dublinairportauthority.com/ | |
| Commission for Railway Regulation | 2006-01-01 | Previously named the Railway Safety Commission, renamed as Commission for Railway Regulation in February 2016 | Railway Safety Act 2005; http://www.rsc.ie/; www.crr.ie; Public Transport Act 2016; S.I. No. 69/2016 | |
| Department of Transport and Power | 1959-07-27 | 1977-09-23 | Coakley & Gallagher 2005; Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1959; S.I. No. 305/1977 | |
| Road Safety Authority | 2006-09-01 | Road Safety Authority Act 2006; http://www.rsa.ie/ | ||
| Department of Public Enterprise | 1997-07-12 | 2002-06-18 | S.I. No. 299/1997; S.I. No. 305/2002; http://www.transport.ie/; IPA Administration Journal 2007, Vol. 55 No. 1 | |
| Aer Rianta | 1937-04-05 | 2004-10-01 | Under the 2004 State Airports Act, the DAA assumed responsibility for all the assets, liabilities and contracts of the former Aer Rianta; eventually some responsibility will go to Cork and Shannon Airport Authorities. Aer Rianta was originally the holding company for Aer Lingus and Aerlinte Eireann | Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1936; S.I. No. 177/1938; Air Companies Act, 1966; State Airports Act 2004; http://www.dublinairportauthority.com/company-profile/company-history.html |
| Motor Insurance Advisory Board | 1984-11-16 | 2004-09-01 | S.I. No. 299/1984; Dáil Éireann - Volume 603 - 25 May, 2005--Written Answers. - Motor Insurance | |
| Irish Maritime Development Office | 2000-07-01 | McGauran et al. 2005; http://www.imdo.ie/; Marine Institute Act 1991; Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1999 | ||
| Irish Shipping Ltd | 1941-03-21 | 1984-11-14 | Irish Shipping Limited Act, 1947; Dáil Éireann - Volume 353 - 14 November, 1984--Irish Shipping Limited: Motion | |
| Dublin Transport Authority | 1986-11-12 | 1987-12-27 | Dublin Transport Authority Act, 1986; Dublin Transport Authority (Dissolution) Act, 1987 | |
| Dublin Metropolitan Streets Commission | 1987-02-01 | 1987-07-01 | Dublin Metropolitan Streets Commission Act, 1986; Dublin Metropolitan Streets Commission (Dissolution) Order, 1987 | |
| Railway Tribunal | 1924-10-14 | 1945-01-01 | Took over functions of the Railway and Canal Commission; upon dissolution, powers given to High Court (Transport Act 1944) | Railways Act, 1924; 'First Sitting of the Railway Tribunal' Irish Times, 4 October 1924; Railways (Amendment) Act, 1929; S.I. No. 659/1935; Transport Act 1944 |
| Airports Construction Committee | 1936-08-01 | 1985-01-01 | To secure Department of Finance sanction for projected works at the State airports, to act as a medium for co-ordinating and reporting progress on the planning and execution of construction projects and for the provision of equipment | Dáil Éireann - Volume 255 - 29 June, 1971--Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Committees; Dáil Éireann - Volume 355 - 13 February, 1985--Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Dublin Airport Runway |
| Aerlinte Eireann Teoranta | 1947-02-22 | 1993-12-21 | In 1993 Aer Lingus and Aerlinte were restructured into Aer Lingus Group plc. | Dáil Éireann - Volume 358 - 16 May, 1985--Written Answers. - State and Semi-State Bodies; Dáil Éireann - Volume 437 - 15 December, 1993--Air Companies (Amendment) Bill, 1993: Committee Stage |
| Aer Lingus Group plc | 1993-12-21 | 2006-09-01 | Aer Lingus and Aerlinte Eireann restructured in 1993 into Aer Lingus Group plc. | McGauran et al. 2005; Air Companies (Amendment) Act, 1993; Dáil Éireann - Volume 437 - 15 December, 1993--Air Companies (Amendment) Bill, 1993: Committee Stage; http://www.aerlingus.com/ |
| National Transport Authority | 2009-12-01 | http://www.nationaltransport.ie/; Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008; Public Transport Regulation Act 2009; S.I. No. 474/2009 | ||
| National Car Testing Service Ltd. | 2000-01-04 | S.I. No. 481/1998; S.I. No. 395/1999; http://www.ncts.ie/ | ||
| Great Southern Railway Company | 1924-11-12 | 1945-01-01 | Merged with Dublin United Transport to form Córas Iompair Éireann | S.I. No. 31/1924; Transport Act, 1944 |
| Aerlód Teoranta | 1964-07-07 | 2001-09-11 | Subsidiary of CIÉ | S.I. No. 95/1964; Seanad Éireann - Volume 57 - 13 May, 1964--Report of Joint Committee on Standing Orders (Private Business). - Transport Act, 1950 (Additional Powers) Order, 1964: Motion of Confirmation |
| Railway and Canal Commission | 1854-01-01 | 1924-01-01 | Replaced by Railway Tribunal | Railway and Canal Traffic Act 1854; S.I. No. 1/1923; Railways Act 1924 |
| Dublin United Transport Company, Limited | 1941-03-25 | 1945-01-01 | Replaced Dublin United Tramways Company | Transport Act, 1944; Murphy, F. 'Dublin Trams 1872-1959', Dublin Historical Record Vol. 33, No. 1 (Dec., 1979), pp. 2-9; 'Buses best form of travel' Irish Times, 26 March 1941 |
| Dublin United Tramways Company | 1896-09-01 | 1941-03-25 | Replaced by Dublin United Transport Company when trams were replaced by buses | Dublin United Tramways (Omnibus Services) Act, 1925; Murphy, F. 'Dublin Trams 1872-1959', Dublin Historical Record Vol. 33, No. 1 (Dec., 1979), pp. 2-9; 'Buses best form of travel' Irish Times, 26 March 1941 |
| Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport | 2011-04-02 | 2020-09-17 | Succeeded by Department of Transport (III). Tourism and Sport responsibilities also transferred to new Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media | S.I. No. 141/2011; http://www.transport.ie/; S.I. No. 351/2020; S.I. No. 356/2020 |
| Shannon Airport Authority | 2012-12-31 | On 5 September 2014 Shannon Airport Authority became part of the Shannon Group plc | State Airports Act 2004; S.I. No. 571/2012; http://www.shannonairport.ie; www.shannongroup.ie; State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014; S.I. No. 395/2014 | |
| Transport Infrastructure Ireland | 2015-08-01 | Replaced the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency | www.tii.ie; Roads Act 2015; Roads Act 2015 (Operational Name of National Roads Authority) Order 2015 | |
| Shannon Group plc | 2014-09-05 | Shannon Group is a public limited company whose principal activities include the operation, management and development of Shannon Airport, the management and development of the commercial property portfolio held by Shannon Commercial Properties (formerly part of Shannon Development) and the operation of the tourism sites managed by Shannon Heritage. A fourth business unit of the Group is the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) which is focused on further development of the aviation business cluster in Shannon. | www.shannongroup.ie; www.gov.ie; State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014; S.I. No. 395/2014; S.I. No. 396/2014 | |
| Department of Transport (III) | 2020-09-17 | Replaced Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport | S.I. No. 351/2020; https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-transport/ | |
| Rates Advisory Committee | 1925-03-02 | 1944-12-08 | A Rates Advisory Committee was established to perform certain advisory functions for charges, rates etc. pertaining to harbours, docks and piers under pre-independence legislation carried forward. It is assumed this body ceased to exist following enactment of the Transport Act 1944 and associated legislative repeals | S.I. No. 11/1925; Harbours, Docks, and Piers (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1920 (10 & 11 Geo. 5.), ch. 21 |
| Irish Air Navigation Service | 2023-05-01 | The Irish Air Navigation Service was established to perform a number of functions with respect to the operation and management of air navigation in Irish and other airspace. The IANS assumed certain functions of the Irish Aviation Authority | Part 2 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022 (No. 40 of 2022); S.I. No. 218/2023; https://core.cro.ie/e-commerce/company/5035589 |