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Postal Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2009

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Questions (320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

340 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the three reports he has in his possession regarding the introduction of postcodes here; and the reason for the delay to date. [46776/09]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

343 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way and the person who will pay for the introduction of the proposed postal code system here; if it is his intention to implement it by 2011; if so, the way this date will be achieved in view of the fact that it is less than 13 months away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46779/09]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

344 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of each of the three reports to date regarding the introduction of postal codes here. [46780/09]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

345 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the predicted cost of the roll-out of the introduction of postal codes here; the reason there is a divergence between the initial €50 million estimated for the project and the figure he mentioned recently of €15 million; and the way that costing was calculated. [46781/09]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

346 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the cost he will be imposing on An Post with his plans to introduce postal codes here, particularly in terms of having to upgrade and replace recently purchased advanced scanning technology which cannot read post codes. [46783/09]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

347 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take when introducing postcodes here to ensure that it does not lead to an increase of junk mail to households. [46784/09]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 343 to 347, inclusive, together.

The Government has recently approved the implementation of a national postcode system for Ireland as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board. For any developed country, a postcode system is a key piece of national infrastructure that can deliver economic and social benefits across the whole economy. The introduction of postcodes will bring opportunities for all players in the postal sector, including An Post, and while there may also be some costs associated with An Post incorporating postcodes into its existing operations, An Post has said it will in principle fully co-operate with implementing postcodes.

It has been long-standing Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company, in a position to compete in a liberalised market. The Government's core policy goal for the postal sector is to ensure that Irish customers, both business and residential, enjoy competitively priced, high quality postal services. Following the report of the Postcode Working Group which recommended the introduction of postcodes, the National Postcodes Project Board's report in 2006 estimated up-front costs of establishing a postcode address database, implementing and promoting the postcode would be in the region of €15 million. This cost is to be met by the Exchequer.

The board was assisted in its work by technical and economic consultants, recruited and funded in 2005 by ComReg, at a cost of approximately €479,000. Following a Government decision in May 2007, consultants were asked to review and quantify the public sector benefits of introducing postcodes. This analysis incurred fees of €54,450. The relevant reports are available on my Department's website at www.dcenr.ie.

Finally, on the issue of "junk mail", I know that the public receives a wide variety of mail from a number of sources, much of which could be regarded as unsolicited mail, including unaddressed mail material, which may be delivered by An Post or other operators. Some media reports suggest that postcodes will result in increased "junk mail" and direct marketing mail. This is not necessarily so. Postcodes will enable more accurately targeted addressed mail and measures already exist to manage the impact of direct mailing. Under the Data Protection Acts, individuals have the right to request that they be removed from any direct mailing lists used by businesses. I have no plans to introduce additional measures in this regard.

My officials and I are now working to address the next steps in the postcodes project, including the process of retention of a body to implement the proposed system. It is expected that postcodes will be assigned and in use during 2011.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

341 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had communications with the postal authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to ensuring in the event of him agreeing to proceed with the introduction of the postal code system here, that it is compatible with postal codes in Northern Ireland or compatible with future changes they may be considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46777/09]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

342 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Assembly or if the issue has been raised at an all-Ireland ministerial level that consideration will be given to an all-island approach to the postal service, with or without postal codes. [46778/09]

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I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together.

The Government has approved the implementation of a national postcode system for Ireland as recommended by the National Postcode Project Board. This Board was established to look at the costs and benefits of implementing postcodes and to recommend the most appropriate postcode system for Ireland. There have been no discussions with the postal authorities in Northern Ireland with respect to the postcode model chosen. As regards the issue of an all island postal service, the Deputy should note that the 55 cent stamp charged by An Post for delivering single piece mail covers delivery for the whole island of Ireland.

My Department is currently preparing legislation to transpose the 3rd EU Postal Directive which provides for full market opening of EU postal services market by 1st January 2011. This legislation will provide for the removal of the reserved area for An Post, meaning that legally there will be no barriers to postal operators offering services on an all-island basis.

Questions Nos. 343 to 347, inclusive, answered with Question No. 340.
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