The telecoms regulator Etain Doyle has conceded it is not possible for her office to regulate Sky television in Ireland under the current legislation.
ComReg has for some time been trying to bring Sky under its regulatory control, a move strongly resisted by the UK group, which claims it is based in Luxembourg and only beaming content into this country.
Rivals firms NTL and Chorus face strict price controls and must pay 3.5% of their revenue to the regulator.
It is understood ComReg is looking to the Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern to initiate legislation to bring Sky under Comreg's control. Sky has over 250,000 Irish customers.
A spokesman for the minister said he has already made it clear that he believes there should be a level playing field in the market place, including satellite broadcasters.
