Madam, - The report on which Noel Dempsey's decision to introduce postcodes was based (linked from the Department's website) says: "An Post has stated that it does not require the introduction of a public postcode". The same report acknowledges there is no problem of mail misdirection. The main reason for introducing postcodes is "to stimulate mail volume growth". In other words, postcodes are being introduced to encourage junk mail.
Junk mail is a nuisance and bad for the environment; it is shameful to encourage it in this way. - Yours, etc,
Dr PETER CULHANE, Leeds, England.