Visa to launch contactless debit in Ireland
21 January, 2011
category: Contactless
Visa Europe is planning to bring contactless debit cards to Ireland this summer, according to the Irish Independent.
Visa Europe, which already has 1.3 million debit cards in circulation in Ireland, will begin rolling out the new cards to customers with Bank of Ireland later this year. Visa is expected to eventually phase out contact payment cards completely in Ireland, says The Independent.
Already in place in Britain, the cards will allow customers to tap and pay for items of €15 of less, or €15 overall for small purchases. Charges over €45 will require a PIN.
Whether the Irish will embrace the new technology is another matter. According to The Independent, the Irish trade cash more than any other country in Europe, and along with France, Ireland is Europe’s biggest issuer of paper currency.
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