‘Inform the public before you axe cents’, say retailers

Retailers are calling on the Government to roll out a major information campaign before sounding the death knell of 1c and 2c coins in order to reassure consumers they are not being ripped off.

The call comes as Finance Minister Michael Noonan today prepares to deliver a memo to cabinet proposing to withdraw the coins from circulation.

Government sources say the plan proposes cash register totals be rounded up or down to the nearest 5c.