The Minister for Finance has launched a roadshow to travel around the State over the next six months explaining the changeover to euro notes and coins.
The euro is to be introduced on January 1st,2002 and, after a six-week period when both currencies will be in circulation, Irish notes and coins will cease to be legal tender from February 9th.
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The Government is confident that although the changeover period is brief, it will provide people with enough time to familiarise themselves with the new currency.
Mr Charlie McCreevy said: "I think most people would agree that the best way to get this currency fully accepted is to have the shortest possible time span.
"The treaty laid down that we could have up to six months, but all countries have gone for a lot shorter periods."
From January 1st, 2002, retailers will give change only in euros and this will "hoover up" the existing Irish currency, Mr McCreevy said.
He added: "When decimalisation came about in 1971 people felt that was a very sad occasion, but we moved on.
"I am sure there will be a certain amount of nostalgia, but we believe going for the euro project is in the best interests of the Irish economy and for Europe as well."
The production of 250 million euro notes and more than 1 billion euro coins by the state's Central Bank is on target, Mr McCreevy told the Dáil yesterday.
To maximise attendance, the roadshow's itinerary is designed to take in several major public events, including the Rose of Tralee festival in County Kerry, the Munster Final Hurling Championship in Thurles and the National Ploughing Championships in County Laois.
PA