LOCAL election candidate Shane McGuinness was extended the privilege of speaking at the Fianna Fáil party Ard Fheis in Dublin.

He addressed delegates with regard to a very important issue in this area and that is to prevent a ‘cashless society,’ particularly for those of an older vintage.

He was asked to present a motion from Louth, and asserted the importance of cash in society and the economy into the future.

While acknowledging the use of cash has declined in recent years and the decline accelerated during the Covid pandemic, he said “we must ensure that people, especially the elderly are not left behind. We must avoid the risk of financial exclusion.”

He continued “we must recognise the important role that cash continues to play in all our daily lives and this is a role we must be determined to protect.”

He also urged that “future changes are managed in a controlled, fair and transparent. manner.

“In the absence of legislative intervention it is likely that over time more and more ATMs will be removed from communities across the country which was something Fianna Fail didn’t want to happen.”

That is why the Minister for Finance’s Access to Cash bill must be urgently progressed, he said, and he sought priority for the enactment of the legislation. So that consumers will continue to have the right to use cash to pay for vital public and private services.