Businesses in Ireland will soon be able to register Irish website addresses that include a fada for the first time.

The changes will mean domain names that include á, é, í, ó and ú will be possible.

The IE Domain Registry, which is responsible for the management and administration of Ireland's official Internet address .ie, has begun a consultation process to allow people to have their say about how the system should operate.

Submissions can be made until 21 March on the IE Domain Registry’s website.

Once that process is complete, details of how people can register the ‘fada’ domain names will then be announced.

Meanwhile, a campaign has been launched to get individuals, businesses and communities to turn their websites and social media channels green for St Patrick's Day.

Dot-Irish, the company behind the top level ‘.Irish’ domain name, says the campaign is aimed at getting people to show the world their pride in being members of the global Irish community.

It says the campaign is supported by bodies like the GAA, IBEC, and London Irish Rugby Club.