What ever your views on the divisive issue of Brexit, I’m now throwing my two cents into the ring, so to speak. As Mr Gradgrind of Dickens‘ fame might chirp: “I deal only in cold hard facts. Not conjecture nor hearsay, but self evident truths. Here are the facts that are salient to this debate and cannot be ignored:

The People of The United Kingdom have democratically mandated, by referendum, to leave the European Union. That’s how democracy works! That’s an immutable fact of life – there’s winners and losers! Thus the will of the majority must be respected. It’s irrelevant, whether other regions in the UK voted overwhelmingly to stay in Europe. That’s not the point. The present reality is: The United Kingdom constitutes: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Why then are certain politicians, the legacy media and the bloody “Remoaners” being disingenuous and actually citing this as the grounds for a second referendum – or people’s vote as the euphemistically refer to it?

Here’s some news: The UK already had a PEOPLE’S VOTE – AND GUESS WHAT? They voted to leave the European Union! What part of “leave” don’t they understand? C’mon guys, the word is almost fucking monosyllabic! Wherein lies your difficulty with this? Pardon my French! ((ºJº)). To quote John Lennon: “All I want is some truth, just gimme some truth!”

Here’s a reality check for the second time: Presently, The United Kingdom constitutes: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We cannot change this, however much some people would desire to! National sovereignty should never be compromised for the sake of economic and political expediency.

I’m of the opinion that the British people have made the correct decision in leaving this undemocratic institution called the European Union. Here’s how things work in Brussels. Firstly, it’s crucial to note that real power resides within the unelected European Commission, which is headed by Jean-Claude Juncker, a gentleman of whom I have the utmost respect for. I’ll get back to Claude later in the blog. Anyway, to get back on track here’s something crazy that often happens in Brussels. For instance, if the European Commission are unhappy with a referendum result unfavorable to them – they simply rerun the referendum until they get the desired result. Many in Ireland are all to familiar with the Lisbon Treaty debacle. The EU is all about centralized power in one place and national sovereignty must be suppressed because it poses a danger to a future EU superstate. It’s very reminiscent of how they did things in the former USSR. Is Brussels 2019, now the de facto new “Soviet Moscow”?

Thus to recap and underscore some salient points: Real power resides within the European Commission. The European Parliament is simply about optics, i.e. to give a veneer of democracy and credibility among the populace. It has just a consultancy role – basically it rubber stamps the decisions. It’s a titular parliament and merely a window display for the European Commission. Some Members of the European Parliament find this undemocratic facade abhorrent. The rest are just happy to take the generous salaries and expenses – wash, rinse and repeat. So on and so forth ad nauseam – the party goes on unimpeded. Most MEPs will not even countenance debating this absurdity for fear it might derail the gravy train, let alone being honest about the merits of Brexit.

It seems love of money, power and prestige are the main reasons our politicians want to keep us in Europe. Brexit to them, represents the beginning of the end and the permanent tumbling of the bountiful EU trough they happily guzzle from. The latest rantings from Donald Tusk underscores this sinking ship desperation & mentality. The vested interests are doing their damnedest to stifle the painful separation process and save their bacon. (no pun intended). Isn’t that right, Mrs “Foot Dragging” May and the rest of you spineless equivocating Tory Cabinet Members.

Why is Brexit so controversial and divisive? Notwithstanding the fact Theresa May is deliberately dragging her feet on this issue, it should be relatively easy for the UK to just leave the EU. After all, it’s what the UK people voted for, right? Additionally, Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty guarantees unfettered exit for any country wanting to leave the European Union. But it ain’t that simple folks, because the EU/UK relationship is toxic. The main source of this toxicity is emanating from Europe. It’s the dominant abusive partner who simply won’t let go. The European Union will not accept the relationship is over and is willing to do anything to keep the UK tied to its toxicity. For instance, The European Commission has now revoked the right of UK citizens to have EU domain names. That’s beyond passive aggressive, it’s downright nasty to hit their IT Sector in such a sly and mean-spirited manner.

It seems the legacy media are the new EU cheer leaders and are propelling and ratcheting up“Operation Fear” across the continent. It’s akin to Orwell’s “Newspeak” and there’s a perpetual echo chamber of: “Brexit Bad and EU Good“. What ever happened to journalistic integrity, impartiality and honesty? It seems these essential journalistic attributes have vanished in the haze. In today’s world, if your opinion happens to deviates from the official narrative – that’s construed as “Wrong Think”!

Fear and threats are being used by the European Union to keep the UK locked in this toxic miasma. This breakup will invariably impact other relationships within in the EU. The European Union in its current form is one big dysfunctional family. Now Brexit represents a divorce in this toxic family dynamic. Acrimonious splits are always messy and the innocent invariably get hurt. Case in point, Ireland, but we have had two years to prepare for it and what have we done in this time? Fuck all, but moan, bitch and repeat the mantra: ” Big Bad Brexit will destroy Little Ireland.” It won’t, but the vested interests don’t want you cognizant of this fact and reality. We here in Ireland must stop moaning and respect and accept the democratic wishes of the UK electorate. Brexit is inevitable, you cannot stop it! It’s almost an immutable fact at this stage. I predict France will will be next, look at what’s happening on the streets of Paris with the “Gilet Jaunes.” Their ostensible anger at rising fuel prices belies a much deeper malaise and this angst is Europe wide. Globalist puppets like Macron, Merkel and May are starting to see the writing on the wall. They don’t like what they see! Their game is over, and they know it. The masses are slowly awakening and now realize the EU serves itself – not you and me! It’s almost analogous to that “Wizard of Oz” scene, where little Toto dog pulls back the curtain and reveals the puny puppet master of deception and deceit. To paraphrase Shakespeare: “There’s something rotten in Denmark and in Ireland and in France….and the whole rest of EU controlled Europe.”

 

 I’ve come to the conclusion that Brexit per se isn’t the problem. It’s the European Union’s intransigent attitude towards it and the fact they care little for the democratic decision of the UK populace. Therein lies the problem that must be addressed. They are the ones orchestrating operation fear from the highest level – stirring people up into a frenzy of fear and foreboding by presenting Brexit worst case scenarios as actual facts. Ever since the British people voted leave in 2016, the reaction, especially in Ireland, has been characterized by denial, anger, bargaining and a widespread national depression. What’s missing from this list? Acceptance! Yes, acceptance of the fact that Britain is actually leaving the European Union. Only then, can Ireland and Europe move on, and stop scapegoating Brexit for the mess The EU has made of our once great continent.

Leadership is needed more than ever in post-Brexit Europe. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. I want Jean-Claude Juncker to be that man who will rise to the occasion and restore sanity to Brussels. But what can one man do, least of all, Claude Juncker? A man totally reviled by most Brexiteers and an anathema to national sovereignty. How is Juncker the solution – isn’t he part of the problem, how on earth can he resolve this seemingly intractable mess. It’s quite simple really – it fundamentally comes down to respect and acceptance.  Respect the democratic wish of the British people; let them leave an institution that doesn’t represent their best financial and long-term national interests. Juncker at heart, knows this, he is a democrat and is fully aware that the thwarting of Brexit is driven by a political agenda not in the interest of the British people, but in Brussels’ interest!

  Now the time has come for Mr Juncker to follow his conscience; have the courage of his conviction to deliver the bipartite solution of respecting and accepting the wishes of UK electorate. If not, how can you ever call yourself a true democrat? Isn’t centralized authoritarianism morally reprehensible and an affront to everything you profess to care about? Leadership requires courage and making unpopular difficult decisions. Claude, the hour has come – and you are the only man with the gravitas to smash this institutional intransigence that bedevils EU negotiations and is the crux of this current Brexit debacle. Weakness and vacillation must be thrown out the window and replaced with decisiveness and courage. Claude,I must admit, you have a difficult road ahead – because you battle cunning, baffling and powerful forces in your Commission, that serve not you nor Europe – but themselves.

Beware the Ides of March, Claude – for you may upset the status quo and their vested interests. But only you can fix your broken house, “Caesar“! I’m confident you’ll prevail and be the final arbiter in implementing the bipartide solution of respecting and accepting the democratic mandate of a sovereign nation. After all, deep down you must surely believe: No man has the right to stifle a nation’s right to full self-determination!

Finally, Mr Juncker this blog wasn’t an attempt to bury you, nor was my intention to praise you, but a cri de couer by someone who has lived with the consequences of the failed policies of the EU in its present incarnation. I just want you to level with me and be honest. You’re in the unique position of being simultaneously part of the problem and the solution.

The United Kingdom is simply exercising its right to leave the European Union – as codified in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Your prevaricating, your equivocating and delaying tactics clearly puts you in the wrong here. You must acknowledge your part in this current Brexit problem. If you don’t, things won’t change – and the Brexit debacle will continue ad nauseam. What gives you the right to deny the democratic mandate of 17.4 million people?  In short, Europe’s future destination is in your hands –  the book stops with you!  Finally, Mr Juncker, I implore you to accept and respect the UK’s decision to exit a failed experiment. This is the first step towards a more enlightened approach to EU policies and directives of the future.

Claude, now is the time for leadership and accepting this fact, as with alcohol and other substances: we are totally powerless over Brexit – and our once great continent has become unmanageable! Acceptance of these self-evident truths are the first steps on the road to meaningful recovery.

 

 

 

This month’s blog is a response to a typical crucifixion piece and polemic against Donald Trump in a local Galway newspaper from a few weeks ago. Of course, and surprise surprise – my reply and refutation of all of the allegations against the Republican Candidate were not published by the Galway Advertiser. That’s why this November blog will be used as a forum for my right of reply. 

Feel free to reply and leave your thoughts & comments.

Dear Editor,

Impartiality, fairness, balance together with the actual honest presentation of the facts based on research are the cornerstone of a decent journalist. Instead, last week’s article was an ad hominem attack on Donald Trump. Characterised by hearsay. misinformation and intense prejudice towards the Republican candidate, without a scintilla of substantive evidence to support the argument. As Mahatma Gandhi once remarked: “An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody will see it.”

You freely quote the discredited Huffington Post – a publication which has a pathological hatred of Trump. It keeps regurgitating the tired old cliched narrative of sexist, misogynist and racist Trump. With no evidence to support the claim. Basically, school yard name calling masquerading as journalism. That no longer works, the public are more discerning and aware of the powerful forces aligned against the truth.

Starting with Insider’s triggering headline – “Race-baiting populism”; the unflattering accompanying photo and numerous digs at Trump throughout. In short, this piece was a nasty attempt to bury Trump, whilst deliberately burying the truth about Hillary. You arrogantly dismiss and casually brush off the crimes of Hillary absolving her of her misdeeds with this: “A lightening rod for conspiracy theorists and misogynistic bullies.” No mention of her role in destroying Libya, or her cruelly laughing off the brutal regime change. “We came, we saw, he died.” No mention of Benghazi, either. Rigged Primary Elections, Whitewater Scandal – also, as reported by the The Guardian: “Hillary Clinton’s Email Server Violated State Department Rules, Audit Finds.” Are all of these just “conspiracy theories”? The list goes on and on! Do your own research to verify the veracity of these facts.

You imply he’s guilty of race baiting. Nonsense, it’s Hillary Clinton and Obama who are guilty of this: by supporting the violent racist Black Lives Matter organisation. Even left-leaning publications such as the Washington Post asks: “Are race relations really worse under President Obama?” The race riots in Ferguson, Baltimore and now Charlotte Tennessee would lead most to say yes.

In the absence of facts or evidence, Insider focuses on his statements – that are often deliberately taken out of context. His words may offend and trigger your social justice warrior sensibilities, but his policies and past actions haven’t cost human life. Nor has Donald Trump’s rhetoric destabilised parts of the Middle East – the catalyst for Europe’s present refugee crisis. According to Dr M Savage : “Never forget it was Clinton’s Arab Spring that let religious rivalries flourish, starting a religious meltdown and the world’s refugee crisis.” If re-elected she wants to continue Obama’s legacy of scorched earth in the Middle-East and further afield.

Hillary’s open antagonism towards Russia and her sabre-rattling towards Putin do not bode well for the future safety of this planet. According to the website: nationalinterest.org: “Clinton could easily push America into open conflict with Russia.” That could be World War 3, folks! As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; together with NATO – has interfered in Ukraine and Crimea in an attempt to undermine Russia’s sovereignty. Provoking and baiting the bear on his doorstep, so to speak. Even well known Trump critic, Dr Jill Stein, concurs that Hillary Clinton is a threat to world peace.

Whereas Trump’s priority is improve relations and create a detente with Russia, renegotiate trade treaties, e.g. NAFTA & GATT – which are currently disadvantageous to America and stifling its competitive advantage. He’s a nationalist and realises that globalism and open borders are not in America’s best interest. In short, he wants the interests of Main Street to supersede those of Wall Street and the elites; wants to audit the private Federal Reserve. People before profit, so to speak. No more bank bailouts under the presidency of Donald J. Trump. He’s unique and true to his plain credo – “It’s Americanism, not Globalism.” He’s unfairly pilloried because he poses a clear and present danger to the present status quo; he’s self-funded and cannot by bought. Trump represents everything despised by the neocons and their buddies in the military industrial complex. To paraphrase an old Arabian saying: “ The best way to judge a man is by the reputation of his enemies.” Isn’t that right George Soros, Paul Wolfowitz, The Saudi Government, The Communist Chinese Government, The Bushes and, of course, The Clintons.

Finally, the most unforgivable thing was that your article didn’t cover the misdeeds and crimes of Hillary Clinton, but covered them up. Whilst simultaneously maligning Trump at every opportunity. This was a crucifixion piece designed to maliciously damage Trump and his campaign. By cleverly inserting Garret Deacy’s famous quote from Ulysses, regarding Ireland being the only country never to have persecuted the Jews. Then deliberately misrepresenting Trump’s comment on mass Muslim immigration. You slyly and nastily try to conflate Trump’s proposed immigration policy with those of the Third Reich. Intentionally, creating a new narrative to link Trump with Hitler. That’s below the belt and smacks of gutter press journalism. Your hatred for Donald Trump is forcing you to abandon all your morals, integrity and decency. Whilst your blind spot for Hillary Clinton is preventing you from seeing the truth! That’s all I have to say. I’ll leave the last word to Eric Blair: “The further a society drifts from the truth the more it will hate those who speak it.”

                                        Regards,

                          Matthias Walter Cowley

 

Irexit: An Antidote To A Flawed Contract?

Politicians love the European Union – because they’re well rewarded by this undemocratic quagmire that’s been undermining Ireland economically, socially and culturally for decades. However, Brexit has demonstrated that ordinary Europeans will no longer tolerate an institution acting against the best interest of their country.

The perception in Ireland is that our EU membership has brought prosperity and growth to Ireland. But has it?  Has it improved living standards for all? Has it made us into a more equitable society and decreased the gap between rich and poor? The spin doctors, academics and our pro-EU media would gave an affirmative answer to all the above questions. But in reality, the corrosive and negative impact of the EU are shied away from.

We can no longer really control our national debt. In the old days we could print our way out of debt and devalue our currency as the need arose. Crucially, we had the power to set our own interest rate. Alas, the European Central Bank and our membership of the Euro means we longer have this get out of jail card. We just didn’t surrender our sovereignty to the EU– but our financial independence as well.

                                            

We gave all of our fishing rights and control of our national resources to Brussels. Incredibly, Luxembourg hasn’t an inch of coastline, yet it boasts a substantial fishing fleet?  I wonder where they do most of their fishing?  On a final point, we can also thank the EEC for the collapse of the Ford vehicle assembly plant in Cork followed by the closure of the subsidiary Dunlop tyre factory.  Still think that Brussels is acting in our best interests?

A referendum to leave the EU would be in the national interest, an Irexit, so to speak. As you’ve probably gathered, I believe we must leave EU to secure Ireland’s future. Below are some points that underscore my argument to leave the EU, because the contract signed in 1973 bring us into Europe is now null and void!

1. Full Disclosure – We were told that it would be just a trading agreement that would facilitate the free movement of goods, people and services between member states. It was never meant to morph into monetary union and a bureaucratic mess with a myriad of laws impinging on our personal freedoms. It was sold on the idea that it always would be a large tariff free trading pan European trading area – pure and simple!  We were never party to its true future nefarious agenda of population displacement and replacement plan for a future Europe.

Coudenhove Kalergi Plan – Regarded as the inspirational father for the modern EU.  Richard C. Kalergi, according to Wikipedia, proposed Beethoven’s Ode to Joy as the music for the European Anthem. He also proposed the future European would not be white, but be of mixed race. Furthermore, he envisioned the Eurasian Negroid will replace every sovereign white nation- state. To achieve this he proposed flooding Europe with African Negroids and Asian Mongoloids. Thus no more Irish, French, German or Italian nations etc. Borders, national identity and the white race would be completely obliterated forever. Put simply: to displace, replace and expunge the native indigenous European Caucasian population. It’s basically a modern version of the 17^th century Plantation of Ulster – history always repeats itself!

It’s no surprise that the latest recipient of the KALERGI Prize was none other than Angela Merkel. To put it bluntly (according to the UN and the Dalai Lama) this is genocide. Crucially this information was not disclosed to the Irish electorate before the 1972 referendum to join the EU. If it was, I’m sure few would have voted to join the EEC.

                                                   

The UN’s Agenda 21 is now continuing this legacy of population replacement and displacement – a more sophisticated version of Kalergi Plan. Just as the EEC was sold to us as simply a large trading block. Similarly, Agenda 21 is masquerading ostensibly as a policy to protect the environment. Looks like history is repeating again. Will we learn our lesson this time, or just blindly and unquestionably accept Agenda 21, because the UN tells us it’s in our best environmental interest. Just like we wholeheartedly embraced the EEC because it was in our economic interest.

Refugee Crisis – Sadly, this policy is in rapid overdrive today and the current “refugee” crisis is being orchestrated to facilitate the Kalergi agenda by the EU Commission – at the behest of George Soros.   Ralph Sidway maintains: “This is nothing short of apocalyptic in its magnitude.” I hate to say it, but the guy is totally astute in his take on this crisis.  He goes on to say: “Perhaps the most important statistic which stands out comes from the United Nations itself, which reports that 75% of the migrants are young fit, males.”  As Mark Steyn,  succinctly puts it: “That’s not the demographics of a civilian population displaced by war, that’s the demographics of an army.”

                                                     

Ironically, Saudi Arabia, a staunchly Islamic country, refuses to take  a single fellow Muslim refugee into their super wealthy country. The same applies to their mega rich Arab neighbours: Quatar and Kuwait. Some European countries are now at breaking point with this unprecedented influx of young migrant men. Europe’s largesse is no longer economically or socially sustainable. Shouldn’t the main protagonists in the present Syrian conflict, i.e. Saudi Arabia give refugee to these displaced people – thus easing Europe’s burden?

2. Equal Consideration – Jack Lynch, watched intently by Pat Hillary, inadvertently signed away the family silver. When Taoiseach Jack Lynch, signed the Treaty of Accession in 1972 he brought us kicking and screaming into full membership of the EEC in January 1973. Did we do well out of this contact? According to contract law: every contract must have equal consideration on either side. Both parties must have something to lose or risk. The EEC brought little of substance to the table. Whereas, we brought actual physical resources: our seas, our green pastures and our mineral resources. In return we got debt based paper fiat currency of little substance. Also they gave us (secreted within their Trojan Horse),  a future population replacement agenda: The Kalergi Plan.  In the good old days, people used to replace the government, but now it seems the government is replacing the people!  You only have to drive round Galway city to see the fruits of this plan. We Galwegians will be a minority in our own city by 2050. Already the native Irish are minority in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. Fast forward a hundred years and Africa and Asia will still have their indigenous population, but Europe won’t.

                                                 

So you see, our current contract with Brussels is no longer fit for purpose because the basic constituents of a legally binding contract are not in place. The only thing that’s valid about our current EU contract is that it contains two wet signatures – not good enough!  Brussels is slowly destroying Ireland:  socially, politically, economically and culturally.  Instead of abolishing our very necessary Eight Amendment,  let’s delete forever the Third Amendment from Bunreacht na hÉireann . Time to say goodbye to this centralized quagmire of bureaucracy #IREXIT.  Wouldn’t that be the greatest tribute we could bestow on the men who sacrificed their lives for Irish freedom in 1916?

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  In line with future expansion, technical issues and international standardization All our alphanumeric codes now consist of seven characters.

 All postcodes within the zones NW1 to EC5 will be increased from six to seven characters.

If you presently have a six character code, simply add a G to the end of the code. For example, if your present postcode code is NW1 186 simply add a G to the end. Thus your new postcode is NW1 186G. Here’s another example, EC5 837 changes to EC5 837G. It’s that simple.

If your address is within the SE6 Galway postal district zone – these changes do not apply to you.

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“ I found Ireland on her knees, I watched over her with a paternal solicitude; I have traced her progress from injuries to arms, and from arms to liberty. Spirit of Swift! Spirit of Molyneux! Your genius has prevailed. Ireland is now a nation.”                                                                                         ( Henry Grattan )

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The final results are still trickling from a few remaining recalcitrant constituencies – and Election 2016 will be consigned to political history. Where do we go from here? What will be the likely formation of a future government. Will it be a Dail of the political right – where the old Civil War foes, i.e. Fianna Fail and Cumann Na Gael (Fine Gael) finally bury the hatchet? Or an alliance of the left lead by Sinn Fein, AAA, AI and the remaining Independent TDs? Who knows, only time has the definitive answer to this question.
What we do know about this election result, is that, a perfect equalibrium of left and right is now the political reality in Ireland. The predicted success of Sinn Fein was overestimated, and indeed, never really materialized – whereas a Fianna Fail recovery wasn’t factored into the equation.

Lazarus wasn’t just Bowie’s final album and parting gift to the world, but a name that now bests underscores Fianna Fail’s re-emergence in 2016. The Irish electorate are a very forgiving lot to give FF another chance – after the cruel and unrelenting financial austerity they inflicted from 2007 to 2011.

The coalition of FG/Labour were punished for not leading us to the economic promised land, but betraying us with their austerity, fiscal rectitude and by giving us no real recovery. Whilst inflicting cut backs on the populace in the name of national recovery – they have to date, squandered €38 million on Eircode: a Dublin 4 based political quango.  Irish Water was another unnecessary, unwanted and expensive utility foisted on by Fine Gael and Labour.  Their reckless spending in times of economic retrenchment; their attitude of dismissiveness; arrogance towards the people who elected them – have resulted in them receiving the Judas treatment at the ballot box.
Will the Left and the Independents be our saviours or the new revolutionaries? Can they all agree to get Ireland off her knees and form a decent and free government by Easter 2016?  Or will the numbers be sufficient to form a stable government in this 32nd Dail? Perhaps the only resolution to this split election result dilemma is a brand new general election in a few months time. With so much uncertainty, maybe a brand new general election is best option in these challenging times. Or God forbid, maybe our masters in Brussels will pressure Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to do the unspeakable and unthinkable – form a government together! Who knows, certainly not me – only time will tell.

Since the widespread advent of internet commerce in recent years, not having a postcode is a serious disadvantage and an anomaly that’s addressed with the creation of this website. In my opinion, cyberspace has superseded all other traditional marketing means such as: the print media, television and radio. Therefore, I’ve decided to ameliorate the situation by implementing a functioning postcode for Galway. This zip code is basically directional compass points and six zones that divide Galway into districts: North-West1 (NW1), North-East2 (NE2), South-West3 (SW3), South-West4 (SW4), East-Central 5 (EC5) and South-East6 (SE6). It has the advantage of being upgraded very easily without a change to its core structure, e.g. the present NW1 could be extended by the addition of more numerals and letters as the need arises. A future-proof system, so to speak. All the six postal zones have been assigned their own unique colour to aid identification: NW1 (Green), NE2 (Red), SW3 (Yellow), SW4 (Purple) EC5 (Blue) and SE6 (Orange). A similar template of this system could be made for other Irish cities, e.g. Cork, Limerick and Waterford.

Presently, Eircode is operating a new national postcode here in Ireland, but national usage hasn’t reached the envisaged numbers. In my opinion, this system has a few inherent disadvantages: (1) Initial Capital Short-Term Cost. (2) It is mainly numerical, as opposed to alphanumeric – more complicated, inflexible and counter intuitive.
On the other hand, Galway’s new postal code is simple, free, intuitive and available to use now.
I feel the success of my new postcode system is largely dependent on a good website that: impinges on people’s consciousness, i.e. they’ll get the message, like the system and use the code. Basically, present the idea for actuation later in life, i.e. next time they’re sending a letter to Galway, this postcode may be used. That’s the theory anyway!

In conclusion, the site’s raison d’etre is to bring into the public domain a knowledge and a basic understanding of a new, simple and zonal postcode for Galway. Thus, making finding addresses and locations a whole lot easier. Did I mention that it’s also totally free?
This website is a mix of text and illustrative maps. Drop down menus have been included to facilitate easy navigation and make the site more user friendly. I welcome all feedback that ensures my website is accessed by the largest demographic possible.                                         That’s what it’s all about!

Thanks for reading.

Apologies, for the long absence, but here’s July’s blog.

Cynics often argue that people use statistics much as drunks use lamp posts: more for support than for illumination. Whilst this may be true for most politicians and their loyal civil servants – most statistics have a firm foundation in fact. Notwithstanding, their fluctuating nature, statistics can give an insight into the success or failure of any new product or initiative. Which brings me on to how Galway’s new postcode is faring. The good news is: better than my initial expectations – since I’m operating on a shoestring budget, against the backdrop of political and local media indifference. Luckily, things are better in cyberspace, with traffic to the main website: www.galwaypostcode.com increasing every week and likes on Facebook reaching over the one-thousand mark. Hopefully, like the humble mustard seed, the use of this postcode will grow over time and reach the widest audience possible.

 

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At last, the new national postcode system has been dragged kicking and screaming into our lives and letter boxes. I broadly welcome this new system – since the absence of a national postcode system is an anomaly that needed to be addressed(no pun intended).
However, I do have some reservations about the new system. Firstly, the code designated and in use for most of Ireland  is complicated, cumbersome and counter intuitive. However, in Dublin, the system makes sense because the old numeric system( Dublin 1 to 24 ) and alphanumeric (Dublin 6W) have been retained and seamlessly weaved into the new Eircode system. Why cannot Cork, Limerick and Waterford etc. have this simplicity too? Secondly, in these times of austerity, fiscal rectitude and economic retrenchment is this the best use of our national finances. Thirdly, not every distribution company are going to use the new Eircode postcode system. Finally, Galway city already has a functioning, free and simple alphanumeric six zonal system. Which begs the question: If it ain’t broke why fix it?

What’s your opinion? Feel free to submits your feedback, thoughts views and opinions etc.

Very belated New Year’s greetings and good wishes to all of you. Apologies, for the long absence since my last article -way back in 2014. Since then a lot has been happening with the roll out of the new national postcode system. According to Joe Leogue, of the Irish Examiner, the new system is suffering from its fair share of teething problems:

 

The Freight Transport Association of Ireland said the planned new Eircode service would be “useless” to its members.

The association told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications the introduction of Eircode would be a significant cost on small and medium businesses for no tangible benefit.

FedEx, UPS and DHL are just some of the delivery companies who confirmed, in a submission, they would not use the new system when it is introduced next year.

The randomly-generated codes that will be allocated to postal addresses will not show when two addresses are adjacent, meaning the system offers no assistance to businesses in planning the most efficient delivery routes when transporting goods to several locations.

 

The Eircode system comes under further scrutiny and criticism from the freight industry and opposition politicians, as reported by Joe Leogue:

Tom Carr of Palletxpress said there was no consultation with the freight industry ahead of Eircode’s launch, and the system was of no use to the industry in its current state.

“There is no use for us whatsoever. We simply wouldn’t use this system if it was imposed upon us. We would have to go and get another system to actually cater for our business,” he said.

“I do understand the boxes have been ticked for a number of businesses across the country, but it is certainly not ticking the box for the transport and logistics industry. It’s not as if we can even come and debate the issue here, it is simply of no use to our industry,” Mr Carr said.

Sligo-North Leitrim TD Michael Colreavy (SF) questioned how such a “fundamental piece of infrastructure” had not been tested in a pilot area prior to its approval.

He aired his concern at the cost and reliance on management consultants in implementing Eircode, asking if “we have another Irish Water on our hands here”.

Mr Carr replied: “To our industry, it’s an Irish Water, absolutely. We will look back and say how did we get that wrong as well?”

Neil McDonnell of the Freight Transport Association of Ireland said delivery companies needed a sequenced postcode that showed when addresses were adjacent.

“They need to join the dots, a random selection of dots around the country is no good from a routing point of view,” he said.

Mr McDonnell said businesses were already using existing postcode solutions afforded by navigation company TomTom and the privately-developed Loc8 code.

“Unless someone gets a grip on a state level, there is a danger of a plethora of solutions where thereshould be just one,” he warned.

“There are lots of clever people who have already come up with excellent solutions to this, and it can’t be beyond the imagination of the Department of Communications to put a similarly productive, useful, system in place.”.

Mr McDonnell echoed Mr Carr’s concerns that the industry had not been consulted on the introduction of Eircode.

Committee chairman John O’Mahony (FG) said the mention of Irish Water suggested there would be difficulties for Eircode coming down the tracks that the committee would want to “head off at the pass”.

Department of Communications officials are due to appear before the committee to discuss Eircode in two weeks’ time.

“With the utility of such a system in question, the Committee is also seriously concerned at the cost to the exchequer and to small businesses.

“We look forward to raising these concerns with officials from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,” Mr O’Mahony said.

© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

 

Thanks to Joe Leogue and The Irish Examiner for this article – no copyright infringement intended.

 

 

 

Galway City Postcode App Is Here

Now you can have galwaypostcode.com whenever & wherever you want with our new app. Below are links to our Galway City Postcode App.

http://apps.opera.com/en_mk/galway_city_postcode.html?dm=1&multi=1

 

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.GalwayCityPostcode