THE EURO
What is the euro?
The euro is the new money for Ireland and eleven other countries of
the European Union (EU). Euro notes and coins will come in on 1 January
2002 and you will be able to use them in all the countries of the euro
area. The symbol for the euro is e.
What are the key dates?
1 January 2002 Ð euro notes and coins will come in, and 9 February 2002
Ð after that,
Irish notes and coins will no longer be legal tender.
What is the euro worth?
One euro is worth just under 79p (to be exact, €1 = £0.787564). To look
at it another way, a pound will get you one euro and twenty-seven cent
- €1.27.
How do I convert Irish pound amounts to euro?
Two pages in this handbook tell you how to convert from Irish pounds
to euro, and from euro to Irish pounds. They also give tables showing
conversions of standard amounts.
Is there a rough guide for converting from
Irish pounds to euro?
Yes. A rough guide is, add a quarter to the Irish pound amount: for
example, £4 is worth just over €5 (to be exact, €5.08).
Will I be able to use euro notes and coins
in all the euro countries?
Yes. The euro will replace the national currencies of all the countries
of the euro area, so you will be able to use euro notes and coins everywhere
in the euro area and the people of the other euro countries will be
able to use euro notes and coins here.
Which EU countries have joined the euro?
Twelve countries have joined the euro: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and
Spain.
Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom (Great
Britain and Northern Ireland) have not joined the euro. They may join
it later.
How can I get ready for the euro?
