Tens of thousands of smartphone users can from today pay for goods and services in certain shops and in apps by using their devices, following the launch of Google's Android Pay in Ireland.
The contactless mobile payments system will initially be offered to holders of Mastercard and Visa cards from AIB and KBC, but other banks are expected to join in the coming months.
Android Pay is the first such major mobile payments system to arrive here, although it is likely that Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and other providers will quickly follow.
"It's going to be one of the first few countries that we are launching in," Pali Bhat, Global Head of Payments Products at Google, told RTÉ News.
"Ireland is one of the most advanced technological markets and Irish users love adopting the latest mobile technologies."
In order to use the service, users must have a smartphone with NFC - a system that allows two electronic devices to communicate with each another when brought within a few centimetres of one another.
The phone must also be running the Google Android operating system Kitkat 4.4 or newer and have the Android Pay app installed.
Users must then follow the straightforward process of adding one or more cards to the app.
Once the cards are loaded, the user can pay for goods and services in a retail outlet by waking their device and tapping it off the contactless payment terminal.
Purchases over a certain amount require the phone to be unlocked. Details of the transaction are then recorded in the app.
Payments can also be made in apps which support Android Pay, by clicking on the button next to the item which is being bought.
The use of mobile payments is expected to grow significantly over the coming years, as people ditch cash and cards in favour of the speed and convenience of mobile and wearable devices.
The development has been welcomed by the banking industry with the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) saying it views today's announcement as further evidence of the trend in favour of non-cash payment forms.
However, concerns have been expressed about the security of contactless payment systems like Android Pay.
Retail Excellence Ireland recently warned its members about a scam, which it claims is rampant in the UK and which has arrived in Ireland, where smartphones with contactless card reading apps can be used to steal money from contactless cards, even when they are in their owner's wallet or pocket.
But Google has defended the security of Android Pay, saying it has taken a multi-layered approach to the product.
Users must provide authentication for higher value transactions, and there is also added security at the operating system level so that if your device is lost or stolen it can be remotely locked or wiped using Android Device Manager, Pali Bhat claimed.
"But we've also got additional layers of protection," he added. "With Android Pay, we never share your actual card information with stores, so if there is ever a breach at a merchant site, your card information is secure and protected."
The system also uses additional layers of risk protection, where Google, the payment network and the bank can look at every transaction through a risk engine to ensure transactions and information are safe.
Shops where Android Pay will initially be accepted include Boots, Tesco, Eason, Spar, Mace, Londis and McDonalds.
Apps like Uber, Adverts.ie and Deliveroo will also facilitate payments using the new platform.
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