The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, has introduced the Euro Changeover (Amounts) Bill to the second stage in the Dail to replace pound amounts with convenience euro amounts from January 1st, 2002.

The Bill will give a legal basis for convenient amounts in euros to replace pounds when individuals are using cash to make payments. For example £10, £100 and £500 will convert to uneven amounts in euros. Euro notes and coins will be introduced into circulation next year and both currencies will be legal tender until February 9th.