Euro changeover,Coins available from today
The majority of Ireland's post offices have refused to handle the euro. The Irish Postmasters Union, which has over 1,600 members, claims An Post has failed to negotiate proper compensation for the extra workload.
Speaking on RTÉ's 5-7 Live programme, John Kane, General Secretary of the Irish Postmasters Union, said that he regretted the action but his members deserved compensation for the extra work involved in handling euro transactions.
Meanwhile, post offices and banks throughout the country reported brisk sales of the euro coin starter packs, which went on sale today. Each pack contains 19 coins and costs £5 to buy.
With just 18 days left until the official changeover, Philip Hamell, the Chairperson of the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland, says it is hoped the packs will help people become familiar with the coins.
A Central Bank spokesman said that there appeared to be a good deal of interest in them. The Central Bank has minted and circulated almost 1.1 billion euro coins, worth €285m.
The kits also make their debut in France and Holland today. For more information on the packs, visit www.euro.ie.
