FTA Ireland is leading a delegation of companies to meet the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning, to express deep concerns regarding the national postcode proposed for introduction by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in 2015.
The delegation has stated that while the introduction of “Eircode” is likely to appeal to the Revenue, utilities, and other companies that interact with the public via postal mail, its use for parcel, freight, energy and passenger firms is likely to be severely compromised.
Former Dublin GAA Captain, and now Managing Director of Palletxpress, Tom Carr said:
“Although Eircode may provide specific recognisable areas similar to Dublin postal districts, there will be no pattern or logic within them to help us to deliver to them. We have an opportunity to learn from other jurisdictions that have been through this process.”
Niall Cotton, FTA Ireland President, and Head of Delivery for BOC Gases in Ireland commented:
“Eircodes will not be of any use to us delivering fuel or industrial gases to many of the remote agricultural and industrial premises we deliver to. Many of these are not located near any office or business location.”
Richard Currie, Director of Public Affairs for UPS said:
“A sequenced post code would provide efficiency gains through a reduction in routes, fuel, inside handling, address corrections and miss-sorted packages. A change to the Eircode enabling a sequenced code would be hugely beneficial to companies and consumers.”
FTA Ireland has previously asked for reassurance that Eircode is fit for purpose after it has received complaints from a number of its members concerning the introducing of the new postcode system which is to be rolled out in 2015.
Neil McDonnell, General Manager of FTA Ireland concluded:
“While Eircode has uses as a database tool, it is totally unsuitable as a modern postcode, and should not be released as Ireland’s National Postcode. There are plenty of viable alternatives already out there. Ireland should not miss out on this once in a generation chance to have a leading edge postcode solution, suitable for the needs of the 21st Century.”