Sir, - Jeremy Taylor (October 9th) expresses his concern that after February 9th, 2002 Irish banknotes and coins will no longer have any value. He will be glad to know that this is not the case.
Euro notes and coins will circulate together with Irish notes and coins from January 1st to February 9th, 2002. After that date, only euro will be legal tender, i.e. shops will no longer accept Irish notes and coins as payment.
However, Irish banknotes and coins will not lose their value. Under Ireland's Cash Changeover Plan, banks, building societies, An Post and credit unions will continue to exchange Irish notes and coins for euro up to February 9th and for a period thereafter to be decided by each individual institution. These institutions will also continue to accept Irish banknotes and coins as customer lodgments for a period following the changeover.
The Central Bank of Ireland will continue to give value in euro for Irish notes and coins indefinitely - i.e. for many years to come. - Yours, etc.,
Neil Whoriskey, Press Office, Central Bank of Ireland, Dame Street, Dublin 2.
