The bizarre statement by Minister for Justice Noel Ahern following an interview about the tiger kidnapping of a bank manager and his wife, that banks should consider charging customers to use ATM machines, has been ridiculed far and wide.
Chambers Ireland representing Chambers of Commerce Ireland has strongly criticised the suggestion that ATM transactions should be taxed.
“Such a proposal goes against all logic as a means of reducing cash in transit and supporting an e-Payment focused economy,” said Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland chief executive. “Chambers Ireland has consistently called for government leadership on the move to a cashless economy in successive pre budget submissions. The Department of Finance and the Government need to move now to catch up on this important agenda for Ireland rather than ‘flying kites’ about taxing ATM cards which are a crucial element in delivering a smarter more productive economy in Ireland.”
Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony described reports that the Minister might consider implementing a charge for people using ATMs as downright ludicrous.
“He’s saying that it will help prevent crime but how will it do that? What evidence has been produced to link the so called ‘Tiger’ kidnappings with people using the ATM to withdraw cash? None that I can think.
“The Government already collects money from hard pressed people for using cheques, their annual charge for ATM and credit cards. We have government departments encouraging people to have their money paid in to banks and now they want to charge us for getting out our money.
“This is just another route to take more money out of people’s pockets and get it into Government coffers. The Minister must be living on another planet if he thinks the people will be fooled by this suggestion. If this is as good as he can come up with, then he should start to consider his future,” he said.
