Dermott Jewell: Why cash should always trump paying by bank cards

The move to card-only transactions during the pandemic adversely impacts consumers who rely on cash to pay their way

We do not live in a cashless society. It is not a policy envisaged for Ireland.

In the midst of Covid there have been many changes in lifestyle patterns and one key element of that change has been the move to use less cash.

This was understandable in terms of the concerns surrounding hand-washing as well, of course, as the many related factors of lockdown – security and supply of cash in an environment heavily promoting tapping and technology to move consumers along at a pace in 2m movements.