James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the introduction of a new post code system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37238/08]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy on post codes; the cost of implementation; the cost of consultancy on this issue to date; his views on whether the growth of GPS will make post codes redundant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37122/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 171 together.

The National Postcode Project Board (NPPB) presented its recommendation in July 2006 as to the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland, the costs and benefits arising from its introduction along with a detailed implementation, promotion and maintenance plan. The board was assisted by technical and economic consultants, recruited by ComReg. The proposal of the NPPB was to proceed with an alpha-numeric postal sector postcode model and that each postcode would have a geo-coordinate at its centre and consequently would be compatible with GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

Whilst there are areas of overlap between the two systems, in my view, because of the different uses to which they can be put, satellite technologies will not make postcodes redundant. Indeed with the launch of the Galileo navigation system in 2011 the demand for postcodes should increase. This is because applications based on such systems become much more readily accessible to the public through the use of a postcode. The report of the board estimates that the cost of implementing, promoting and maintaining the postcode would be approximately €15 million.

A proposal concerning the introduction of postcodes went to Government in May 2007 and Government decided that, prior to the introduction of postcodes, further analysis to quantify the wider economic and societal benefits should be carried out. This analysis was recently updated and it will assist me to decide on how best to take the proposal forward. In this regard I fully accept that a postcode system can convey economic and social benefits, assist future competition in the postal sector and assist delivery of certain public services. I expect to bring a further proposal to Government in relation to the introduction of postcodes.