Mr. Alan Dignam:

From the perspective of how we operate and maintain the Eircode system, I mentioned in my opening statement that we use the GeoDirectory database. Under our contract with the Department, we are required to use those addresses, including the dual language addresses. I will not speak on behalf of the Department but I watched the March meeting and read the transcript and I know the Minister was comfortable in her position but nonetheless took action to look further at the legalities, if that is not the wrong terminology. In operating a contract on behalf of the Department, we would obviously take instruction from it should that position change.

From an Eircode perspective, we have been very keen to ensure the Irish language is promoted. As I have mentioned, people can conduct their business on the Eircode website and on the Eircode finder in Irish or English. The further step we take in respect of Gaeltacht areas is that we recognise the Irish version as the paramount version. That is what people are presented with. If you search for a postcode in a Gaeltacht area, the Eircode system will return the Irish version of the address. You have to go into a secondary tab to find the English version of the address. When a new property is released and a new address comes to us from GeoDirectory, we send an Eircode notification letter to the householder. If that house is in a Gaeltacht area, it will be addressed to the Irish version of the address. We do a lot. I am very comfortable with what we do but we do not have a remit to make a unilateral change that goes against the terms of our agreement with the Department.