Donegal TD Thomas Pringle has told the Dail that cashless venues severely disadvantage vulnerable people, particularly in Donegal and in other rural areas.
He made the remarks as he also welcomed a bill that is currently passing through the Dail, which will ensure the level of cash made available to the public remains above a certain level.
Deputy Pringle has insisted that the Government must do more to make sure cash can be used at all venues and stores.
“I fully support this bill and its intention to set criteria which will ensure that access to cash levels remain at the level prevailing in December 2022, and its intention to bring independent ATM deployers (IADs) and cash-in-transit companies under the supervisory remit of the Central Bank of Ireland,” Deputy Pringle said.
“This is a very welcome move and a very pertinent one in today’s world,” he said.
“Contactless payment also allows for the option to pay with your device, and this is not only very convenient but can be an important way for people to access their finances in times of need or distress.”
“Equally, there are many situations in which people are only left with cash to see them through and they must be able to use this money as needed.”
Deputy Pringle insisted that easy access to a wide range of means to money must be maintained.
“Easy access to our finances, through whatever means, is vitally important and that is why we need to ensure that people are given the option of cash or card, not card only, as is happening more and more across the country, fully cashless venues or businesses severely disadvantage some cohorts more than others, particularly senior citizens, young people, those on low incomes and homeless people.”
He referenced a recent incident where when attending a local GAA match, only card payments were accepted for tickets.
“I am thinking particularly of GAA matches. I was at a GAA match myself between my hometown and the Four Masters in Ardara recently, and because it was a preliminary quarter final, people were not allowed to pay in cash.”
“It is completely unacceptable that avid supporters, who go to every league and championship match and pay cash at each one, should be turned away for not having a card at bigger games.”
The deputy also said that requiring people to buy tickets online, “…not only forces people to have a bank account, but to have access to that account, the digital literacy to be able to navigate accessing and paying for tickets, as well as computer and internet access.”
“This is particularly difficult for older people but also for those of us living in rural Ireland, with very weak broadband connections. I have said it many times before, but I will keep saying it until the cows come home: Parts of Donegal still don’t have access to fibre broadband connections.”
He also emphasised the importance of the access to cash in Donegal in particular.
“I know the government, and Minister for Communication Eamon Ryan, would like us to forget that fact, but fibre broadband rollout has completely left Donegal behind.”
“And the GAA are far from the only organisation pushing cashless events. We have many festivals and concerts that have gone completely cashless, as well as venues, such as the 3 Arena. This is causing widespread financial exclusion and it is completely unfair to limit access to services, events and venues in this way,” he said.
The deputy also welcomed a section of the bill giving the Minister the power to prohibit IADs from charging access fees, but said: “I do query, however, whether the Minister will use this power to support our citizens in accessing their cash without fees, or will he continue to allow IADs to generate revenue through an interchange fee that is paid by cardholders.”
“I would urge him to do all that he can to ensure access fees are scrapped and that this legislation will be enacted as soon as possible to ensure that we are providing a fair and equal society for everyone in this country.”
Deputy Pringle said: “People want cash and people should be able to use their cash, and I think that government’s role should be to facilitate that. Because one thing’s for certain: The banks won’t facilitate that.”
