Press Release
Minister for Finance launches next phase of Information Campaign on the euro
Embargo 11.00 a.m. Monday, 28 September 1998

94% awareness of single currency

The majority of Irish people are aware of the single currency, its name and that Ireland will participate from the start, according to a survey published today (Monday 28 September 1998). The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, T.D., launched the next phase of the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland's (ECBI) information campaign at the official opening of the Board's new offices in Hatch Street, Dublin 2. The Board's web site was also launched.

The survey was carried out by Lansdowne Market Research in July and shows that:

• 94% of people were aware of the single currency
• 85% knew Ireland will participate from the beginning
• 59% knew the name of the currency
• 59% knew that the euro can be used for non-cash transactions from 1 January 1999

Philip Hamell, Chairperson of the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland, said he was pleased with the overall findings. Of course, he added, there was still a lot of work to be done in the run-up to 1 January 1999.

"Our two main messages now are the name of the new currency - the euro - and the 1 January 1999 start date. Over the next three months, we will be concentrating the next phase of our campaign on getting these two messages across. After that, our focus will be on the rate for the euro against the Irish pound, which will be fixed on 1 January."

The campaign's next phase will include:

• ECBI sponsorship for a new TV series Living with the euro
• a public information video on the euro to be launched in November
• materials for people with special needs, working with a Consultative Panel
• brought together by the Board to advise on these needs
• material for teachers, in liaison with the Department of Education
• training programmes on the euro for the civil and public service
• briefings for representatives of community and voluntary groups
• launch of the third edition of the National Changeover Plan in November
• a national press advertising campaign in November.

The Minister for Finance also launched the Board's web site www.irlgov.ie/ecbi-euro.

Web site users will be able to see euro notes and coins, answers to frequently asked questions, the second edition of the National Changeover Plan and the recently enacted EMU Act. There is also a worksheet for primary schoolchildren, and an interactive quiz for secondary school students will be added shortly.