Mark Duffy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the provisions in the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024. I would like to raise a point with the Minister of State. I refer to access to cash. I have had a number of conversations with constituents as this has come to light over the past number of weeks. We have discussed this in great detail. It is important to recognise the lack of access at different stages to digital and contactless payments when power outages or a lack of access to Internet connectivity occurs, and when digital systems drop that leaves people high and dry. We saw that happen recently in Spain and Portugal.

There is also a move away from cash. People should have the choice between cash or card and contactless payments. More specifically, in my home county, Mayo, the First Choice Credit Union recently decided to restrict the hours of operation in five of their credit union locations, namely Achill, Balla, Ballyhaunis, Swinford and Kiltimagh. I raised this issue earlier on the Order of Business. It has been highlighted by local Councillor Alma Gallagher, who has worked alongside the chamber of commerce in Ballyhaunis to highlight the issue and express the dissatisfaction with the First Choice Credit Union's decision. A review of the decision was due last week, but that was not communicated this week. A decision is to be made by the end of May. I ask the Minister of State to look into this. I have raised the issue with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe.

We should not allow community-run organisations like credit unions, which are of the people and for the people, to make regressive decisions like this that offer less choice. We need to offer more choice for communities. Towns on an island like Achill, which are often neglected and feel like the poor relation, should not have a death by a thousand cuts and a reduction in the services which are vital to the communities of rural Ireland. I welcome the Bill and the guarantee and commitment to access to cash.

I acknowledge that airlines have now removed cash as a method of payment on most flights I have encountered. That is not fair or right. Legal tender is legal tender. Currency needs to be accepted.

As part of the Bill, I ask the Minister of State to consider the reduction in the hours of operation of credit unions. We must have access to services for rural communities and access to cash as legal tender. I thank the Cathaoirleach and Minister of State for their time.