Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when will he publish the feasibility study and cost benefit analysis produced by ComReg on the potential introduction of postcodes; when will he introduce a system of postcodes; if there will be a general consultation process before a system of postcodes is introduced; the type of postcode system he favours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5267/07]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on a report from the national post code project board; his plans to progress or develop this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5444/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 167 together.

The generally accepted definition of a postcode is a unique, universal identifier that unambiguously identifies the addressee's locality and assists in the transmission and sorting of mail items. The introduction of a postcode system in Ireland would assist with improving efficiencies in the sorting and delivery processes for postal items and would also help facilitate new entrants to the market, should the EU postal market be liberalised in the future. Ireland is one of the few developed countries that does not have a postcode. The introduction of postcodes would also deliver many benefits outside the postal sector.

The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) has now presented to me for consideration, its recommendation as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction along with a detailed implementation plan. As part of its analysis, the NPPB's advisors carried out an extensive consultation with stakeholders both within the postal sector and outside it with a view to arriving at a postcode model that best meets the needs of the stakeholders and measures the likely costs and benefits of the introduction of such a postcode.

I have considered the report and intend to bring a memorandum to the Government in the coming weeks in relation to the board's recommendation to me.