John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the delegates for their presentations. This topic has aroused a lot of debate since representatives of the Freight Transport Association Ireland appeared before us a few weeks ago. It stated the postcode system was not fit for purpose and that it was costly. In the presentation made today we have heard about a cost of €27 million. The FTAI used a figure of €80 million. How does one explain the difference in the amounts?

The word "useless" was also used to describe the postcode system. In the previous presentation it was indicated that the emergency services were engaging with the Department on the postcode system but all members have since been contacted and told that this is not the case and that the view of the emergency services is that the system might cost lives. We hear that the Eircode system is of no use in the case of a road traffic accident or hillwalking or mountaineering accidents. I would welcome a comment from the delegates in that regard.

Delegates at the previous meeting indicated they had not been consulted. There has since been clarification that they had been contacted but that they were not really consulted. There is a difference of interpretation of what consultation has taken place.

I have another question to put to Mr. O'Sullivan who has indicated that An Post will use the system fully. Will he confirm this because there was a suggestion in some correspondence we received that would not be the case.

My final question before I hand over to members relates to an issue arising in my area. Letters to some parts of County Mayo are not being delivered on the basis that they are wrongly addressed. People are being told that they should write "County Roscommon" on their letters. Will the Eircode system solve this problem? It might be a small issue nationally, but it is big one for the people who have contacted me.