The Government is to revise its money laundering guidelines to help the travelling community and others to access the banking system ahead of the conversion to the euro.

According to a member of the money laundering steering committee, which includes representatives from the Government, the Central Bank, the Garda and financial institutions, a bank account may be opened with a reference from a priest or other respected community figure.

Hitherto a bank would require an official address or a utility bill in the person's name to prove residency. The Government insists this is not a relaxation of its money laundering controls but is aimed at facilitating disadvantaged groups ahead of the advent of the euro.

The changes, due to be announced in the next few days, will help the record number of migrant workers attracted to the State during the boom. But they are also targeted at the travelling community who complain the Government has ignored them in the euro preparations.

Their leaders hope the authorities will now address the wider issues of a community that accounts for half of all complaints under new equality legislation.

Most remain "unbanked" as they cannot prove permanent residence and are not dependent on public services and therefore do not have household bills. This is presenting particular problems for the community and the banking authorities ahead of the introduction of euro notes and coins in January.

Ms Nuala N∅ Ghabhann of Exchange House, a community group which advises travellers on household budget issues, says travellers would typically hold their savings in cash.

She believes the community will have few problems coping with conversion. But without a bank account, she says, any traveller with savings will have to wait until after January 1st to exchange money when the authorities will be scrutinising any unusually-sized transaction.

The Euro Changeover Board has ruled that during the six-week period, banks should accept only so-called household amounts, up to £500, over the counter. Any traveller with a few thousand pounds of savings would find it difficult to convert into euros without triggering suspicions. Credit institutions are required to establish the identity of anyone making transactions of £10,000 or more.