Sir, – I was in Frankfurt this week. A taxi was cash only, a restaurant would only take cash as its internet was down, concession stands at a concert I was at would only take cash. We still need cash. Surely the Central Bank has a role here in protecting the interests of consumers. – Yours, etc,
DESMOND O’REILLY,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – For those who haven’t yet got the message, the decision by AIB to operate cashless banks should do the trick. Private entities, whether they are operating in banking, healthcare, housing prevision, utility supply, etc, prioritise self-interest and not the provision of a service. Look around, the evidence is everywhere. – Yours, etc,
JIM O’SULLIVAN,
Rathedmond,
Sligo.
Sir, – The move toward a cashless society, in the context of surveillance capitalism and the growing power of Big Tech and Big Finance, poses threats to individual choice, privacy, security, autonomy and agency. The removal of the option to use cash should not be left to faceless, democratically unaccountable, self-interested corporate bureaucrats to determine. The recent announcement by AIB of the further withdrawal of its cash services from more of its branches is symptomatic of a disturbing trend in this direction. Time for the Government to act. – Yours, etc,
H McBRIDE,
Castlebar,
Co Mayo.
Sir, Allied Irish it may well be, but a bank it certainly is not. – Yours, etc,
GRAEME GUTHRIE,
Westport,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – My local branch has decided to close its ATM and go cashless. So much for customer service. As for getting a human being at the end of a phone, forget it. – Yours, etc,
BRIGID CULLEN ,
Tramore,
Co Waterford.