Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Mason.

I think Mr. McLoughlin has dealt with the matter of cheques to a certain extent. He referenced it before I did, but I had noted it as a point to raise. I think this is one of only three European countries in which cheques are used in any significant volume. Clearly, many people are reducing their use of them. I know that there is a very big push not to use cheques for State transactions and to try to get everyone using electronic fund transfers, EFT, and so on. Will Mr. McLoughlin give us an idea of the areas where cheques have gone from and where he sees them going? Does he think cheques will be gone in two, three or four years, or will there always be a role for them in some organisations?