MacManus says government consultation exercise should not be a “Trojan Horse” to diminish status of cash

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has submitted a strong response to the government’s’ “National Payments Strategy” focussing on the need to protect cash.  His submission warned that using the exercise to open the door to a diminution of the status of cash was unacceptable.

MacManus said:
“My submission today focused on the right to protect the use of cash. There is no doubt that this right is under attack from certain quarters. In my submission, I call out the threat from those who are seeking to use the consultation process as a Trojan Horse by suggesting that the right to cash is only protected when somebody is buying essential items. This is not a rights based approach and I cannot support it.”

“I am one of a small number of MEPs working in Brussels on EU-wide legislation on the right to cash. That legislation will supersede any Irish legislation and I am working with consumer groups and others to make sure it is as strong as possible. Today in Brussels, I spoke in favour of this strong legislation with other MEPs backing my calls for banning of “No Cash” signs for example.”

“My ongoing online survey on this issue has attracted a huge response and it is clear from the results so far that the demand for cash is strong among Irish society with 97.87% of participants believing that cash should always be accepted by shops and businesses and 97.64% wanting the Irish government and the EU to make strong laws to protect the use of cash and its availability.”

“I hear these calls loud and clear and will make sure that Dublin and Brussels will hear them too.” ENDS

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