Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to proceed with the introduction of a postcode system; if so, when does he intend to proceed with the necessary procurement process to allow for the introduction of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2899/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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A procurement process for a national postcode system is under way. This process, which is being managed on a ring fenced basis by my Department, necessarily constrains the amount of information I can share with you at this time.

By way of background, Ireland is the only country in the EU and the OECD which does not have a national postcode. In July 2009 the then Government approved the launch of a procurement process for a national postcode based on the report of the National Postcode Project Board in 2006. In 2010, my Department established a Postcode Steering Group and appointed PA Consulting to assist it with project management and implementation.

The procurement process for postcodes began on 17th January 2011 with the publication of a pre qualification questionnaire on the e-tenders website www.etenders.gov.ie for the appointment of a postcode management licence holder. Since then intensive work has taken place on what is a complex project. I expect to be in a position to put the matter of procuring a Postcode System to Government later this year.

The final decision to proceed with the implementation of a national postcode will, of course, be one for Government and will be based on appropriate financial, technical and operational considerations.