Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I must be careful because within a week we will start a competitive process which should deliver quickly in terms of the exact system we introduce. Given that it will be within a competitive process I must be careful not to skew the result one way or the other. The case is not as set out by Deputy Coveney. I agree with the Deputy that post codes are right for this country and that as well as providing an effective postal code system they should have capability to provide location code facilities for a range of applications that will develop as the smart economy evolves. I agree fully this must be one of the components within the system we develop and deliver. However, the exact mechanism and format will depend on the competitive process. I am not ruling out any one technology but we maintain it should fit within the characteristics set out as a result of the work done over the years in terms of having memorability, accessibility and the ability to evolve into a whole range of other uses which will bring benefits to our economy. The competitive process will determine which technological solution will best provide this. The solution will have to provide both location code services as well as a postal code service and I am committed to delivering this quickly.

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