Eircode’s translation of Irish language names and addresses into English during its rollout of the national postcode system attracted the highest ever number of complaints to An Coimisinéir Teanga.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources contravened the 2003 Official Languages Act, the Irish language commissioner Rónan Ó Dómhnaill found.
Sending out postcode information in English breached the obligation to use Gaeltacht placenames, his annual report published today notes.
No legal protection
However, the issue highlighted the fact that there is still no legal protection for people’s right to use the Irish version of their names and addresses – in spite of the commissioner’s proposal to the Government on the matter more than five years ago.
More than 70 complaints about the postal code roll-out were made to Mr Ó Dómhnaill – the highest since his office was established in 2004.
Some 17 of these complaints related to official Gaeltacht placenames which appeared in English or were “inaccurate”.
The department said in response to his investigation that there was no breach, as the private company awarded the contract to design, distribute and maintain the system was not a “public body”.
However, the language commissioner’s office had raised the question of Irish placenames with the department as far back as 2008.
The department had been reminded several times before the roll-out – as recently as six weeks before the Eircode service was initiated – and confirmed that it understood the obligation in question.
No explanation was given or apology offered in relation to the translations, his report says.
