Mr. John Tuohy:

The UK system is very contentious. If one starts numbering everything in a rural area that previously had neither names nor numbers one must decide which house will be number one and which number 13. Even before one names a road, these are contentious issues. Eircode avoids such problems because they can slow down implementation. In the UK they use subdivisions and add letters to numbers. That system might slot properties along a rural road under the numbers 10, 10A, 10B, 10C and so on.

Regarding implementation, we are ready to go. We deal with many online retailers because many customers shop online. During the initial phase addresses without an Eircode will be tolerated by all operators because we cannot simply assume that everyone will use the system from the start. Modern technology provides tools that enable us to clean addresses. If we get an address without an Eircode we can do a best match and get the Eircode from the national database that is already maintained.

Emergency services are a different matter because it will be very advantageous to them if a caller from a rural area can give an Eircode. An ambulance, for example, will be able to come straight to a door without further information.

Again, implementation and communication with the public are the most important things. A person needs to know his or her Eircode and should pin it up in the kitchen so it can be referred to in an emergency, if an ambulance is coming or if a courier phones looking for directions. People living in rural areas are blue in the face, particularly at this time of year, from dealing with couriers seeking directions on the phone. Many people order items for Christmas online and if they live in obscure rural areas and must constantly give directions it can be frustrating. It will be very helpful to simply give one's Eircode to repairmen, doctors, couriers and delivery men as they can enter the code in a cheap, widely available piece of equipment, like a satellite navigation system, and drive straight to the door. It will be a revolution when it comes to services for rural communities.