The Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy T.D. joined the
Chairperson of the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland, the Governor of
the Central Bank of Ireland and the Director of Consumer Affairs in
Grafton Street, Dublin, today (Monday 31st December 2001), to
celebrate the introduction of euro notes and coins in Ireland.
The Minister said that the Government has been committed to
making the changeover as easy as possible and that he was confident
that it would happen with minimum disruption.
"The changeover to euro notes and coins involves all of us.
So it is important for everyone to play their part. We ask you to be
patient over the coming days as shops and customers get used to the
euro. The work carried out by all the agencies over the past three
years ensures that every citizen has access to information on the
euro. In general the changeover will happen as people go about their
normal day-to-day business. I thank all those involved right across
the economy in making this happen," he said.
Mr. Philip Hamell, Chairperson of the Euro Changeover Board of
Ireland said that, from the 1st January 2002, accounts in financial
institutions would be converted to euro free of charge, ATMs would
begin dispensing euro notes, withdrawals from accounts would be in
euro. "The ECBI recommends that, from the 1st January, you
should first spend your Irish cash; you will be given your change in
euro. When you need money, get it in your normal way: from the ATM
machine, Social Welfare payments, wages and so on. Pay in one
currency only, to avoid delays and do not hoard euro coins - keep
them circulating," he said.
For further information on the changeover, consult your euro
changeover Handbook. Information is also available on the Board's
website www.euro.ie or from its
LoCall number 1890 20 10 50.
