A determined challenge to Cavan’s GAA County Board policy around the use of cash has resulted in a win for those who wish to use cash for certain transactions, a local Councillor has said.
Aontú’s Sarah O’ Reilly who has been a constant and vocal critic of the local GAA’s policy of asking fans to use card and online payments instead of cash, says that efforts have paid off with the news that the Cavan County Board has introduced further options to assist patrons who may have difficulties with technology access games.
A book of 5 tickets, which grant access to all games at any level of any championship up to and including semi-finals will be available from all club secretaries at a cost of €40.
These books will also be available from the Co. Board offices in Kingspan Breffni Park.
A Senior Citizens Championship season pass, which again allows access to all games at any level of any championship up to and including semi-finals will also be available for €70.
Closing date for applications for this pass is this is Friday 27th July.
Fans who wish to avail of either the pass or the book of tickets are asked to message the Club Secretary.
A delighted Cllr O’ Reilly says “This is a big win and one that means a lot to longtime fans of the GAA who wish to exercise their right to use cash. Many of these fans were the very ones who helped to make the GAA the organisation it is today. It was a very retrograde attempt, to say the least, to try and make people use other methods of payment apart from cash that they either couldn’t use or frankly didn’t want to”.
“We now have a fully enacted Access to Cash Bill which was signed off on yesterday (Wednesday 24th July) and which reinforces that right and which now gives new powers to the Central Bank to direct banks to provide ATM’s within five to ten kilometres of a regional population centre. This Bill helps to copper fasten the continued use of cash in our society. Aontú has long campaigned against a move toward a cashless society, something we believe would heavily exclude vast numbers of our population. We challenged the GAA, the NCT and the banks themselves on their damaging plans to end cash”.
“Cash is the most inclusive way to pay for goods and services. Cash does not discriminate by age or skill level, whether someone has internet access or not. Cash gives all citizens the ability to participate fully in society. That is one of the cornerstones of Democracy,” she said. “It’s also important to remember that 350,000 people countrywide do not have bank accounts. That is their right”.
“Cash is also very democratic. Payments can be made independent of a third party. Cash gives the citizen more autonomy and privacy. Domestic abuse survivors often keep emergency cash, and this is a vital point to make”.
“We all saw the nightmare scenario last week when there was a worldwide technological glitch, paralysing so many services. We always need to have cash as an alternative to card payments”.
“I’m delighted that Cavan County Board has recognised the absolute rights of people to use cash as their preferred method of payment. It’s a win for the public”.