Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Deputy Colreavy's support for the implementation of a postcode. The fact we did not do so in previous decades means we now have the benefit of technology which was not there previously. This unique identifier will be at the leading edge in that regard. The precious local address will not be interfered with. There will be a new line at the bottom of the envelope, so whatever the precious name of the village or the townland will still be there.

I do not brush aside at all Deputy Colreavy's concerns about privacy and data protection. That is a very important area to Irish people and we have spent a lot of time focused on that issue. I think the Data Protection Commissioner first became involved in this in 2005. All during the procurement process, my Department has been engaged with him and his office in terms of how implementation of the system proposed does not encroach on personal privacy. He has, in turn, let it be known to us that he will be extremely vigilant about discharging his independent function under the law. He has left us in no doubt about that.

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