"It will be business as usual and business in euro next week,"
according to Mr. Philip Hamell, Chairperson of the Euro Changeover Board of
Ireland, today (Friday 4th January 2002). Speaking at the daily briefing he said
that, by tomorrow evening, well over 2 million people will have euro notes and
the volume of cash transactions being carried out in euro continues to rise
steadily.
"When you combine ATM usage, social welfare payments made in cash,
retailers systematically giving change in euro and cash exchange by financial
institutions, it is clear that by tomorrow evening the vast majority of adults
in the country will have euro notes. This should ensure that the bulk of cash
transactions will be in euro by Sunday. Indeed reports indicate that, overall,
over half of all cash transactions were in euro yesterday".
The Euro Changeover Board also asks people to get familiar with the euro and
cent coins and to start using them in their daily purchases.
CIE are advising students returning to school or college on Monday to buy a
pre-paid ticket or to have the exact fare ready. Be patient and allow a little
extra time when purchasing goods and services as we all get used to the new
currency.
Irish notes and coins remain legal tender until 9th February, so there is no
need to queue to exchange your cash into euro.
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 (Fax number 01- 639 6203).
