Confusion reigns over new codes

The new Eircode system for postal addresses was launched on Monday this week – but it already has a number of problems which could make it less than useful for Galway residents.

Eircode, which will cost €27m, is a post code system which has a unique identifier or code for every property in the state, or so it claims.

However it’s already admitted that about 50,000 properties mostly with Irish place names are not included on the database but will be gradually added over the next two years at cost of €200,000.

As Galway has the largest Gaeltacht in the country many of these missing post codes will be in the county.

It also appears that the database used to compile the Eircodes needs to be updated because we found that there are two Eircodes for the Connacht Tribune business.

When we entered our street address – 15 Market Street, Galway – in the Eircode website we were directed to a business across the road and five doors up, on the corner of Market Street and Upper Abbeygate Street as shown in the screenshot.

The irony here is that 15 Market Street is clearly visible on this map – it’s just not where the pin is stuck!

However, when we entered the business name Connacht Tribune and our address we got the right property and a different Eircode H91 TCX3.

We queried this with Eircode and the response was as long as the property address was correct then there wasn’t a problem and it should have no impact on our business.

We have pointed out that it is the property address that is incorrect and await a response.

So, for now, we have two Eircodes.

One of the main benefits put forward for the introduction of Eircode is that it deals with the issue of ‘non-unique addresses’, where a number of properties have the same townland address.

This is widespread outside the main urban centres and about 35% of homes in the country have addresses like this and does cause problems for delivery companies and emergency services.

However, we in the Tribune seem to have reversed this and we have two Eircodes for one unique address.