Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----here today is in relation to the issue around the Eircode system that was highlighted by an Coimisinéir Teanga. In good faith, the Department contacted An Post, which is in charge of the addresses that are given to Capita, addresses which have to align with the postal service. An Post said that it has to provide the English and the Irish versions and to keep them on its database to ensure next-day delivery. That was the issue raised by an Coimisinéir Teanga. I appreciate the concerns and frustrations in that regard. That is why I am here today to listen to the views of the committee.

As I have said, as part of the contract coming to an end, we will need to hear whether the Eircode systems, the delivery systems and the systems to ensure people are getting their mail delivered in their preferred language, particularly in Gaeltacht areas, are working well. That is the reason I am here today. I also wish to highlight, make visible and be very transparent about the issues within An Post with regard to the obligations ComReg has placed on it and which it must comply with to facilitate next-day delivery. That is the issue here. I am also here to outline the interaction and engagement between the Department, GeoDirectory, Conradh na Gaeilge and all of the stakeholders to ensure the GeoDirectory database is kept up to date in respect of Irish addresses. Where there are discrepancies, people must have a direct line to ensure that information is updated and given to Capita to ensure we have the proper Irish placenames in Gaeltacht areas.

To answer the Deputy's question, we are in compliance. In his implementation report in September 2021, an Coimisinéir Teanga acknowledged the genuine effort made by the Department and highlighted the specific issue with regard to Eircode having both an English and Irish version of addresses. The default position for people putting in their addresses in Gaeltacht areas is for the Irish address to be used. With regard to cases where that does not happen, that interaction with GeoDirectory and the Irish bodies is continually improving the system. The issue with An Post relates to the obligations ComReg has placed on it. That is what it is telling us. It cannot remove the English version from its mail sorting database. That is the key issue. I am here today to answer those concerns.

Again, I am obviously also here to listen to all members. I say that to be very clear. I have colleagues and officials with me to discuss the progress of the Irish language within the Department. We have an official Irish language officer coming on board next month. We are here to listen to all of the genuine concerns, to make sure the Eircode system is fit for purpose and acknowledges the need to have addresses in Irish in Gaeltacht areas, and to look at what we can do around that, including in the future as we look at future contracts.