Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

There is a generational issue at play here. If people only recently became used to dealing with cheque transactions, they cannot now be penalised. It is easy for people of my generation and that which immediately preceded it because we are used to electronic banking, on-line banking, using ATM cards etc., but not everybody is in a position to carry on their affairs in this way, particularly when one takes into consideration issues such as numeracy skills and people's ability to deal with technology.

If the Government is determined to encourage people to begin hiding cash under their mattresses again——

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