Dáil debates

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Protection of Cash as Legal Tender: Motion [Private Members]

 

10:22 am

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mairéad McGrath, Brian Ó Domhnaill and all the people in Deputy Mattie McGrath's office who worked diligently on the preparation of this very important motion. What has become evident over the last number of years, and particularly over the last 12 months, is quite shocking. The Government does not have the right to say "card only" to people who come in with their money in their hand to pay for a licence from the NDLS or for one of the other services the Government provides through our local authorities or the different agencies. Cash is legal tender. The message has to go out from this House loud and clear that there is nothing dirty or wrong with producing cash and paying for goods or services in that way. I appreciate many young people do not want to use cash. They are not going to have cash in their pockets. They are going to use cards instead. That is the way they are going to pay. That is fine but that is not for everybody. One shoe does not fit all sizes. Too far east is west - in other words, we cannot just all agree with this and say we will forget about cash. We need balance in life. I respect the young people who have no time for cash and want to use the phone to pay for everything. They use it to pay 50 cent for something because they would not have 50 cent in their pockets. If they are buying a packet of chewing gum, they will use their phone.

What about everybody else? We are not all the same. It is true that an awful lot of people in Ireland prefer cash. It is not just older people. There are also middle aged people, and maybe even younger people, who are in the habit of using cash and will continue to do so. When a company is providing a service, it has to do its job right. I believe doing the job right means ensuring accepting cash, which is legal tender.

I will move to An Post and declare an interest, in that I am a postmaster. I know a lot about the subject. An Post does great work in our communities. In many of the communities it serves, the local post office represents the last point of ready access to cash, given the ongoing retreat of many banks and the reduction in the availability of ATMs. I remind people what AIB wanted to do in County Kerry, in Cahersiveen in the great Iveragh Peninsula and in Listowel and Dingle in west Kerry. AIB wanted to leave us without banks. The same applied in respect of other banks throughout the county. The people of Ireland and AIB customers rose up and said they would not accept that. The people of Kerry said they would not accept it. AIB had to do an embarrassing u-turn. That company tells us on its signs, "We back brave", when in fact it backs nothing. This is no reflection on the people working in AIB because many of them are disgusted with what is going on.

I compliment the post offices, as I always do. I compliment them for the sure, sound and solid service they have given, as have our credit unions. They accept cash. They want to see people coming in with cash. Do not mind this cashless society. I again thank the credit unions and post offices for that.

Moving to consider sporting organisations, every one of us adores and appreciates what the GAA has done for Ireland, in particular rural Ireland. We are grateful for that. Like every one of us, people can make mistakes. I think the GAA is making a mistake by requiring people to buy game tickets online with a card. It is wrong in many ways. It takes away from the great tradition of the GAA. We in the Dáil always have to be mindful of not telling an organisation how to run its business. I am not doing that but I am politely reminding this great organisation of the great people who support it, many of whom do not have cards or access to cards. Those may be older people. If they are going to a game, they want to pay in cash.

Tipping culture is also affected. It is important to have money accessible for people if you want to tip and show your gratitude for good service.

Other sporting organisations and events, such as concerts, are affected. Cards are important when a massive amount of people are going to a concert but we must always remember that cash is legal tender in Ireland and as long as that is the case, it should be accepted and respected.

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