157. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Finance the amount of Irish Punts currency still in circulation; the amount still not converted to euros; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17002/12]
Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan): Irish pound notes and coins ceased to be legal tender with effect from 9 February 2002. Of the Irish pound notes and coins remaining in circulation at that point, IR£185m in banknotes and IR£98m in coin had not been converted to euro by 15 March 2012 and remain outstanding. This represents 7.5% of the total amount of Irish pound notes and coins in circulation at end 2001. Irish pound notes and coins may still be exchanged at the Central Bank of Ireland in Dublin.
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