asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the appropriate British authority to accept Irish currency as legal tender in Britain.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Currency in Britain.
40.
The essence of legal tender is that a person who refuses to accept payment of a debt in such money has no enforceable right to require payment in any other manner. It is normal practice to attach this attribute only to the national currency.
I would point out that British currency is not legal tender here and its general acceptance by the public is based on long-standing custom and commercial convenience.
While Irish currency is not legal tender in the UK, it circulates freely in Northern Ireland and is generally accepted in such ports as Holyhead and at airports in Britain.
I do not propose to make any request to the British authorities on this matter.
Very few accept it; they are not very co-operative.