Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Ireland is the only country in the EU and OECD which does not have a national postcode system. In the context of the national postcode project, I and my Department have had meetings with the Data Protection Commissioner and his officials as part of our approach to the introduction of postcodes. These communications have addressed the implementation, dissemination and commercialisation of postcodes in order to ensure that all pertinent data protection legislation is adhered to. Details of these measures will be made available as part of the procurement process.

An invitation to tender was issued on 10 May 2010 for consultants to assist in selecting a body to implement and manage the delivery of a working national postcode system. These consultants have now been appointed and are working with my Department's steering group to introduce a six digit alpha numeric model that is also capable of being refined into a location based code. A process of consultation with interested parties has recently concluded. A prior information notice was published this month relating to the process and my objective is to move to the procurement phase within the coming weeks.

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