As of 2019, a printed phonebook directory is no longer available
Information on telephone numbers can be found free of charge through online directories or an internet search.
Online searches and reverse number searches may return some results (business phone numbers will likely be available online, while personal mobile numbers may not) but this depends on whether or not that information has been published online.
Directory Enquiry services can be accessed free of charge by dialling 196 if you cannot use online directories because of vision impairment or you have difficulty reading. You are required to register for this service by calling Freefone at 1800 574 574.
The National Directory Database (“NDD”) is a record of all subscribers of voice communication services in Ireland, including those with fixed, personal and mobile numbers who have not refused to be included in that record. It includes both home phone and mobile phone numbers which can be published in a directory and/or be made available through directory enquiries.
The function of the NDD is primarily to facilitate the compilation of and access to information for telephone directories and directory enquiry services. In accordance with the e-Privacy Regulations, the NDD continues to be the basis for the operation of the “opt-out” register for direct marketing purposes.
There are two different options for directory listings:
| Listed | Details (name, address, telephone number) are made available to providers of directory enquiry services or directories. |
| Ex-directory | Details (name, address, telephone number) are not made available to providers of directory enquiry services or directories. |
Contact your service provider to amend your directory listing in the NDD and request your listing preference.
If your landline is registered on the NDD ‘do not call register’, marketers in Ireland are prohibited from calling your phone number for direct marketing purposes.
If your landline is ‘ex-directory’, your number should be automatically recorded as not wanting to receive direct marketing calls, unless you have stated these companies may contact you.
Mobile numbers are opted out by default, this means that marketers in Ireland are prohibited from calling your mobile phone number for direct marketing purposes unless you have stated these companies may contact you. You may change this by asking your mobile service provider to change your preference.
Marketing calls come from direct marketing companies or businesses which you have consented to contact you for marketing purposes.
If you provide phone details to a company (for example after buying a product, entering a competition, redeeming coupons or requesting a brochure) you may receive a marketing call.
This is separate from that which is recorded on the NDD as you have given the business your consent to contact you. The business can do this even if your number is included on the ‘do not call register’.
An ‘unsolicited call’ is a call that you have not requested.
‘Cold calling’ is when a company calls you, without getting your permission, so they can try to sell you goods or services.
The regulatory requirements in this area refer to direct marketing calls only, so, for example, if a company contacts you to ask you to take part in a survey, this is not prohibited.
If your number is registered on the NDD’s ‘do not call register’, then direct marketing companies in Ireland are prohibited from calling you for direct marketing purposes.
When you contact your phone service provider to tell them you do not want to receive direct marketing calls, they will make sure that this is recorded in the NDD. This may take up to five working days.
Direct marketing companies are required to access the NDD to see which phone numbers do not want to receive marketing calls and ensure they do not call them.
If your preference not to receive direct marketing calls is registered on the NDD, or if you get the call more than 28 days after your details have been recorded in the ‘do not call register’, or after you have told the company in question not to contact you again, you may wish to complain to the Data Protection Commission.
Their office can investigate and prosecute the company if necessary. Please see the Data Protection Commission’s website for further information.
Since 2 September 2019, PortingXS has managed and maintained the NDD. This followed a detailed process whereby in March 2018, ComReg invited all undertakings who were interested in managing and maintaining the NDD to express their interests. ComReg issued a consultation and final Decision in December 2018, confirming PortingXS as the organisation responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the NDD. Please refer to ComReg Decision D16/18 for further information.
Direct Marketing companies who wish to gain access to the NDD should contact PortingXS (ndd@portingxs.nl). The license agreement and application form are available on PortingXS’s website.
A directory enquiry service provides contact information and/or onward telephone connection to an individual or business telephone number that is listed in the National Directory Database (NDD).
Directory enquiry numbers begin with 118 and are five digits long e.g. 118XX.
The cost of using some directory enquiry services is dependent on several factors, namely:
The directory enquiry charge that appears on your phone bill will be made up of:
The cost will also be influenced by whether you choose to use the onward call connection service, which (if chosen) may significantly increase the price of your call.
The directory enquiry agent may ask whether you wish to be connected directly to the telephone number you have called about. If you agree, you will be connected to the number and charged the directory enquiry cost per minute rate for the entire duration of your call. This is known as onward call connection or call completion.
If you wish to minimise the cost of using the directory enquiry service, you can request the relevant telephone number from the directory enquiry agent and state that you do not wish the call to be connected to the telephone number. The directory enquiry call will then end.
You will, therefore, not pay the higher directory enquiry rate.
If you are using a mobile, check if a text service is offered as having the number sent to you will likely reduce the cost.
Remember that depending on which network you are connected to and the nature of the specific plan or bundle that you have with your service provider, it may be cheaper for you to use a specific directory enquiry service.
The directory enquiry calculator on ComReg Compare will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the current cost of calling a particular directory enquiry service.
You may also speak with your service provider to find out .
A complaint relating to directory enquiry services should be raised as a standard complaint to your service provider. If your service provider fails to resolve the matter with you, you should then raise your complaint with the directory enquiry service provider who will attempt to resolve your issue.