Tipperary TD backs campaign to prevent Ireland being turned into a cashless society

Moves towards making Ireland a cashless society have been rejected by Deputy Michael Lowry.

Addressing a Motion on the Protection of Cash as Legal Tender in the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Lowry stated that the only ones who stand to benefit from a cashless society are banks and financial institutions.

Deputy Lowry said that removing their obligation to handle cash meant no expensive ATM network, no paid bank tellers and no cash vans criss-crossing the country. Staff will be made redundant from banks and the public will be made totally dependent on banks.

For banks, removing cash from circulation completely was a win-win scenario, he said, adding that "meanwhile, those who favour notes and coins are cast aside".

"Today’s world sees more and more people tapping cards on machines to purchase something as simple as a cup of coffee. The vast majority of retailers no longer even tell the customer the cost of what they are purchasing. They simply direct them toward a machine and, by pressing four buttons, your money becomes theirs in return for whatever you buy.

"At the end of the day, the retailer transfers their day’s takings to the bank with another touch of a button.

"It’s simple and efficient. That cannot be denied. People tap their way around towns and cities every day. They electronically buy goods online and pay bills by standing order.

"What they seldom do is see or handle cash. Unless you actually see something, it can be difficult to gauge its value," he stated.

The Thurles TD said that the motion sought to protect to use of cash as legal tender. To keep notes and coins in circulation.

He said that it was a worthy, timely and wise move to ensure that cash will continue to be accepted as payment for goods and services. It seeks to protect people who continue to have a preference for using cash.

"People instantly think of the elderly members of our society in this regard. However, a survey carried out in November showed that 78% of all Irish people feel that all businesses should be legally obliged to accept cash as payment.

"Under the present laws, businesses can refuse to accept cash payments simply by putting up a sign at their entrance or at their payment point. This cannot be questioned by the customer. Yet by doing this, a business discriminates against a significant cohort of people.

"There are elderly people who have not transitioned to new payment methods. However, there are also those who have been victims of electronic payment fraud who are understandably wary of digital payments.

"There are homeless people who cannot open bank accounts. Intellectually challenged people who find cash easier to manage. People who are unable to keep track of their spending as they are not familiar with or have access to a computer. Those who fear losing their debit cards and giving access to their money to the finder. People who simply prefer to manage their money by using cash. The list is endless. Nothing is ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to money management," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that refusing to take cash payments prevented these people from having financial freedom. It denied them their rights as citizens and was a form of financial control.