Central Bank dismisses talk of punt plans

FRESHLY minted rumours are the only new currency in circulation, the Central Bank has insisted.

It was trying to play down reports that it was making contingency plans in the event of a return to the punt.

A story in the Wall Street Journal sparked a flurry of speculation after it quoted sources as saying the acquisition of extra printing presses was discussed at a meeting of bank officials in recent weeks, with a view to having sufficient capacity if the need arose to produce a currency to replace the euro.