The Euro Changeover Board of Ireland was established by Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, Minister for Finance, on 5 May 1998. It has two basic tasks: to oversee the detailed implementation of the changeover to the euro and to provide public and consumer information. The Board includes representatives from a wide range of organisations across Irish society. Its Chairperson and Secretariat are provided by the Department of Finance.

This Report covers the Board's first year of operation, that is from 5 May 1998 to 30 April 1999. During this period the Board was fully involved in the production of the Economic and Monetary Union Act, 1998 and the third edition of EMU and the Euro: Ireland's National Changeover Plan , as well as in the events surrounding the launch of the euro on 1 January 1999. Consideration of the issues involved in the introduction of euro notes and coins on 1 January 2002 and the withdrawal of Irish pound notes and coins from then is under way.

The Board co-ordinates the National Information Programme, which comprises 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 is part-funded by the European Union.

As regards providing public information, the Board ran three advertising campaigns on the euro, involving television, national and local radio, national and local print media and outdoor advertising, as well as distributing some 4.5 million information leaflets for the public and circulating over 200,000 posters. The Board also established a website, an Aertel page and a locall helpline and produced two public information videos. Close links were maintained with the Forfás EMU Business Awareness Campaign, while 19 organisations received part-funding under the 1998 NGO Programme for a wide range of information on the euro.

The Board has set up a Consultative Panel of organisations representing people likely to have special needs in the changeover to the euro and has already provided various materials to help people with such needs: more are planned. The Board has also developed extensive links with the education sector, and has provided a range of materials for that sector: more are in preparation. The Board has produced various materials in Irish and will continue to do so.

The Board has run an extensive training programme for civil and public service staff, and has also provided training for representatives of community and voluntary organisations. There have been numerous interviews with television, radio and print media, while thirteen regional centres were visited during the year, stands have been taken at several major exhibitions and talks and presentations have been given at local level.

In summary, the Board has implemented an extensive programme of activities in fulfilment of its tasks and has laid a solid foundation for its future work. The Board expresses its thanks to all those who have helped in its activities to date and looks forward to their continuing co-operation.

Appendixes to the Report list the members of the Board, its Sub-Committees, Consultative Panel and Secretariat, and recipients of funding under the NGO Programme for 1998; provide a statement of expenditure; and give statistics on distribution of information material.