Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Millennium Projects.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

54 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reported problems with the new millennium £1 coin and that it will not be recognised by Dublin Corporation parking meters and a number of vending machines; the steps, if any, the Central Bank is taking to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26889/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The Central Bank has not issued any millennium £1 coins and will not do so until January 2000. I presume that the coins to which the Deputy refers are the £1 coins dated 1999. My attention has been drawn to problems experienced by Dublin Corporation's pay and display parking meters in accepting some 1999 dated £1 coins.

When the Central Bank was made aware of the problems experienced by Dublin Corporation, it carried out detailed re-testing of the coins. The tests confirmed that the coins met the specifications for £1 coins, as laid down in the Decimal Currency Act, 1990. These technical specifications include the diameter and the design, the weight and standard composition including remedy allowances or tolerances. The technical specifications of the 1999 £1 coin are identical to those of all previous £1 coin issues.

I understand from the Central Bank that further tests have shown that some 1999 dated coins are readily accepted by the pay and display parking meters while other coins are accepted only after several attempts. I also understand that the Central Bank is in contact with Dublin Corporation regarding the method of calibrating the corporation's parking meters with a view to finding a solution to the problem.

Regarding the £1 millennium coins to be issued early next year, the Central Bank informs me that, in accordance with normal procedures when a new coin is being issued, it will facilitate testing of these coins for machine calibration purposes before they are issued.