The Euro Changeover Board of Ireland was established by Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, Minister for Finance, on 5 May 1998. It had two basic tasks: to oversee the detailed implementation of the changeover to the euro and to provide public and consumer information. The Board included representatives from a wide range of organisations across Irish society. Its Chairperson and Secretariat were provided by the Department of Finance.
This is the Board's fourth and final report and covers the period from 1 May 2001 to the end of the changeover on 9 February 2002. On the implementation side, activity during this period focused on legislation, public sector preparations and monitoring of key stakeholders' preparations for the cash changeover. The Euro Changeover (Amounts) Act 2001, enacted on 25 June 2001, provided in necessary cases for the replacement of Irish pound (IR£) amounts in law with convenient amounts in euro from 1 January 2002. In addition a number of Orders were made, including one to withdraw legal tender status from Irish pound notes and coins at midnight on 9 February 2002. Monitoring of public sector preparations was intensified, with monthly reports to Government to confirm that they were on target. Finally, the Board's Planning Unit monitored key stakeholders' preparations in an oversight project aimed at ensuring that the cash changeover would be implemented as smoothly as possible.
As regards public information, the Board co-ordinated the National Information Programme, which comprised its own public information activities, the Forfás EMU Business Awareness Campaign, and a Programme of support for non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) administered by the Board. The National Information Programme was part-funded by the European Union.
On the public information side, the Board ran advertising campaigns designed to deliver specific messages at appropriate times. Television, press, radio and outdoor advertising was used and regular surveys of public awareness levels helped shape the campaigns. Advertising activity culminated in an intensive campaign from October 2001 to early January 2002, while a short campaign preceded the end of the changeover in early February 2002. Particular efforts were made to ensure that messages reached low-awareness groups.
In addition to advertising, the Board distributed a comprehensive 24-page Euro Handbook to all households in October/early November and an electronic converter to all households in November/early December 2001.
The Board produced a number of new information materials and distributed them and its existing materials in very large numbers, both through targeted distributions to schools, libraries etc. and in response to requests. Over half-a-million items were distributed each month and demand for the Board's materials peaked in November 2001, when almost 3.5 million items were distributed. The Board continued to work with its various networks, including its Consultative Panel and Information Sub-Committee, to ensure the dissemination of information about the euro.
The Board's Euro Roadshow travelled to every county during the period May to November and eight regional events were also held. The Board's website was constantly updated and received over 400,000 visits. Training packs were widely distributed to enable voluntary and community groups to inform their clients about the changeover. A new public information video was commissioned and was also widely distributed.
The Board produced or assisted with the production of new materials for people with special needs, including talking converters and an audio version of the Board's Euro Handbook. The Board continued its policy of making materials available in Irish and distributing them widely. The Board maintained its LoCall service, which from end-September 2001 was handled by a service operator: from then until the end of the changeover it handled over 50,000 calls.
The Board organised a number of media events during the period, including press conferences and photocalls. Close links were maintained with the Forfás EMU Business Awareness Campaign, while the Board's 2001/2002 Programme of part-funding for non-Governmental Organisations involved over 120 organisations.
The changeover to euro cash was implemented smoothly, rapidly and with minimum disruption to commerce and the public. By the end of the first weekend the bulk of cash transactions were taking place in euro, and the changeover was virtually complete within a week. The Board expresses its thanks and congratulations to all those involved, including the public at large, for making the changeover so successful.
An Ceathrú Tuarascáil Bhliantúil - Achoimre Fheidhmeannach
PART I: Introduction and Establishment, Tasks and Membership of the Board etc.
Table of Contents
