ComReg and the Data Protection Commissioner have today has unveiled a scheme whereby people can choose not to receive unsolicited marketing calls by signing an opt-out register.
Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said the scheme should help reduce the number of unwanted marketing calls and faxes received.
All subscribers will be notified shortly by their phone line provider of the procedures to be followed should they wish to prevent cold calling to their telephone numbers.
As demand may be high, organisers urged consumers to follow the advice of their phone line provider on ways to exercise this option.
The facility is free and open to both residential and business phone subscribers. It applies to voice calls and faxes made from within the state.
Phone companies will pass on their customers' preference to the National Directory Database (NDD), which contains all phone numbers listed in public directories or available through directory inquiries.
No cold calling should occur within 28 days of opting out. Marketing companies who break the rules face prosecution by the Data Protection Commissioner.
"It should also be an aid to the marketing sector, helping ensure more effective and targeted marketing," Mr Hawkes said. "I appreciate the efforts of ComReg, the staff of the NDD and the telephone service providers in developing this new facility."