Debate needed on cash: Toibín

Aontú leader and Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín, says that it is now time that there is a national conversation about cash. This comes after the NCT has decided to reverse last week's decision to go cashless.

“Aontú campaigned over the last week to get the NCT to reverse its decision about cash and we welcome the news that they have seen sense and will allow cash to be used to pay for the service," the Navan man stated. "The idea of saying to 350,000 people without online bank accounts had to pay electronically for a service for which non payment could land you in jail or in with a massive fine is ridiculous. The NCT now join the AIB and the GAA in reversing the decision for mandatory electronic transactions. The truth is the Minister of Finance needs to set policy in this area. We need to decide what role cash will have in the future in Ireland."

Deputy Toibin added: “Electronic payments are the efficient payment choice of many people and that is absolutely fine. But allowing a cash option is still the most inclusive way to run a state service or a business. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly old, young or on low incomes do not have bank accounts. Many businesses do not have card machines. Many people do not have access to sufficient ICT skills, broadband or even mobile phone signals to carry out electronic transactions. We have a duty of care especially with older people that they remain independent for as long as possible.”

He said many people in the services industry rely on cash tips. Club fundraisers rely on cash for club lotteries. Having cash options available also reduces the danger of systemic electronic crises such as cyber-attacks on banks. ICT deficits in banks have already caused major problems this year. My own town of Navan suffered from an outage on card machines necessitating cash for transactions over the weekend."