Independent TD Mattie McGrath has hit out at Irish Rail over its cashless catering policy, saying he handed back a cup of tea because he could not pay for it in cash.
Deputy McGrath, speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Tuesday, accused the government of trying to get rid of cash “by stealth” despite promises about keeping it in the economy.
The Tipperary TD said he handed back a cup of tea while on a recent train journey because Irish Rail would not accept cash for the drink.
“I was on the train last week from Thurles to Dublin [and I] couldn’t buy a cup of tea with cash,” Deputy McGrath said.
“I did [give the tea back] and I was sorry for the lady who was doing the business.
“Obviously Iarnród Éireann has privatised out that work [of] the cafeteria on the train and they don’t take cash.
“Then again, on the train on Heuston Station to Dublin and they do take cash so it’s all over the place,” the leader of the Rural Independents added.
Irish Rail, in a statement on its website, asks customers to note that all catering services are cashless and cash will not be accepted on board.
The TD also described as “nothing short of a PR stunt” government proposals to ensure people have more access to ATMs.
“They’re being removed and I have three towns in Cahir, Cashel and Templemore where Bank of Ireland just withdrew their ATM machines,” he told the radio programme.
“Then there was a threat to an AIB one but that remained thankfully.
“Many towns now – whether it’s a private operator or a Credit Union if they are lucky to have them – they really are trying by stealth to get rid of cash”.
“They say they’re not [removing ATMs] and they make all these nice soundings,” he said.
“They’re not listening to the people, they’re playing games with the people, mind games,” he claimed.
Relating to a new Oireachtas Finance Committee report, which has found that ATMs should dispense notes smaller than €50, Deputy McGrath said smaller note denominations are pointless unless there are enough ATMs available to withdraw cash from.
Taking to social media, the TD wrote: “I will not support a move towards a cashless society.
“A lot of our citizens either cannot or chose not to use card only services and government services in particular have a duty to accept cash as legal tender for all government services.”
Last summer, Iarnród Éireann, or Irish Rail, came under fire over card-only catering payments, with critics saying the ban on cash was unfair, particularly on older people and those relying on cash.
Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager for Irish Rail, explained at the time that the national rail service had managed to reduce costs through going cashless with provider, Carriage Foods Services Limited, following Covid-19.
“We were working for quite some time to get our catering services back and one of the challenges we faced was that, with the funding available, the costs coming from the catering providers were really almost exorbitant,” he told RTÉ Radio One last June.
“They were a multiple of what we had experienced before.
“In terms of cash management for the provider, that’s a significant benefit,” he said, adding that Irish Rail had been “actively encouraged” to move away from cash due to hygiene reasons.
Mr Kenny, responding to criticism over the move, also said e-receipts from cashless transactions were a positive for sustainability. He also pointed out there were retail options at Irish train stations, and that passengers had the choice of bringing their own food and drink onboard.
According to a Department of Finance survey in 2023, more than 90 per cent of Irish adults still use cash regularly and it remains the favoured method of payment for around 25 per cent of people.