Sky Ireland says some 43,000 customers were not given a 'cooling off' period as part of their contract.

The issue was uncovered as part of an investigation by the Communications Regulator, ComReg.

Sky is obliged by law to provide customers with a confirmation of their contract, and a cooling off period of 14 days to consider that contract.

This is generally done by e-mail or by hard copy in the post.

The logo of television company Sky visible on a rain-soaked car bonnet in the headquarters of Sky Germany in Munich | Image: Matthias Balk/DPA/PA Images

However ComReg found that between September 2015 and September 2018, approximately 79,000 customers were not provided with a contract confirmation.

While some 43,000 of those customers were not afforded a cooling off period.

In a statement, Sky says it "regrets" this failure and "apologises for any inconvenience".

Sky serves 21 million customers across five countries.

Sky Ireland is based in Dublin and provides customers with digital television channels and broadband facilities.