Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1021: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the new postal code will be based on Irish language abbreviations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33285/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1025: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the system which will be used for the introduction of new postcodes; the consultation which will take place with local communities with regard to their introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33657/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1025 together.

The Government recently approved the implementation of a postcode as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board (NPPB). In arriving at the recommended model the consultants assisting the NPPB, both technical and economic, engaged in a series of stakeholder consultations. Additionally the project has benefited from other consultations all of which have been consistent in revealing widespread support for the introduction of postcodes. There are no plans to engage in further consultations.

The NPPB was established to recommend the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland and to look at the costs and benefits and implementation of postcodes and recommended an alpha-numeric post code model taking the form of ABC 123. The precise postcode nomenclature and the allocation of individual postcodes will not be finalised until the body that will be charged with implementing postcodes is appointed.

There is nothing in the proposal to prevent a person from using a form of address in either of the official languages of the State. Additionally, in the case of towns located in the Gaeltacht there is nothing in the recommendation that would prevent the postcode utilising letters from the official Irish language version of the place name.