Dubliners queue for their euros ... and champagne
Queues formed outside the Central Bank in Dublin today to receive supplies of Euro notes.
At one stage the line for cash stretched from the front doors of the bank for almost 50 yards.
Notes only became officially available from midnight, and although businesses were handed reserves in advance, members of the public had to wait until the first cash machines opened at around 6am after being re-programmed and having their punts stocks replaced with euros.
But the Central Bank opened specially to hand over the new paper money in exchange for the old variety free of charge and generated what a spokesman called ‘‘a phenomenal and gratifying response’’.
In what must have been a first for a bank anywhere, people waiting for the notes were served with champagne, hot whiskey and tea and coffee by Central Bank staff as they waited patiently to exchange their punts for euros.
A spokesman said: ‘‘We opened at 10am, but people were gathering outside from 7.45am, and the average wait for cash has been about one hour.
‘‘It seems some of them just want to be able to say they were there at the Central Bank on Change-over Day.
‘‘We have to close at 4pm and will probably have to stop the queue at some point.’’
Businesses in Dublin and other parts of the country reported a generally trouble-free start to the arrival of the euro era, though there were some indications of confusion among shop customers.
As the currency switch went ahead, the Dail urged full vigilance over the possibility of price hikes.
Consumer Affairs Minister Tom Kitt said a full team of inspectors would be on duty in the weeks ahead to ‘‘keep an eye on the way in which retailers have converted prices to the new currency.’’
He added: ‘‘Any errors identified will be immediately brought to the attention of the retailers, with the aim being to ensure that customers get a fair deal at all times.’’
Carmel Foley, the Director of Consumer Affairs, said her office had been open throughout the holiday season to monitor the change-over.
She said: ‘‘Happily, the volume of inquiries and complaints over the past week or so has been small.
‘‘This suggests the Euro Change-over Code and arrangements for dual pricing are working well and that consumers have confidence in the procedures that have been put in place.’’
Mr Kitt stressed, though, that the real test would come as business got back to normal after the holiday period.
He added: ‘‘We will be vigilant and so, too, must consumers.
‘‘Any instances of prices being incorrectly converted should be raised in the first instance with the retailer concerned.
‘‘But where satisfaction is not forthcoming, consumers should report the matter to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.’’
