Irish people have switched to the euro more readily and with less difficulty than their neighbours in the euro zone, according to a new survey.The Irish are more enthusiastic about the euro than other countries and one-third of us even feel "a little bit" more European as a result of its introduction, the Eurobarometer survey finds, writes Paul Cullen.
But in common with other countries that adopted the new currency two years ago, most of us believe its introduction has driven prices up rather than down. Over 80 per cent of Irish people say that the conversion to euros changed prices to the detriment of consumers.
In addition, almost half of us say we are buying more, and blame the euro because we don't realise how much we are spending. In contrast, a majority of cautious Germans say they are buying less because of a fear of over-spending.
Over half of us, more than in the rest of the euro zone, believe price differences between the different countries using the currency remain undiminished.
More Irish people than in any other euro zone country say they now think in euros (90 per cent) for day-to-day shopping. Almost half the Italians, for example, still think in lire.
Most of us are happy to see an end to dual pricing by shopkeepers, and we are more likely to believe the euro will soon become an international currency like the dollar.
The main difficulty Irish people report is with euro coins. Almost half of us find it difficult to manipulate the cent coins, and most of us consider there are too many denominations.
Over 80 per cent would like to see the removal of the 1¢ piece, but we have no complaints about the notes.
In contrast, Italians report fewer difficulties with euro coins, but almost half would like to see the introduction of a €1 note.
Fianna Fáil TD Mr Pat Carey said the survey proved that the Irish were the most enlightened and clued-in people in Europe with regard to the euro currency.
Mr Carey said the results were a vindication of the "great work" of the Irish EU Changeover Board. "While the Irish have embraced the euro quicker than anyone else, unfortunately we are not as proactive when it comes to checking the prices we are charged in euro and I would urge all people to be vigilant about being ripped off by unscrupulous retailers overcharging in the new currency."
The euro was introduced on January 1st, 2002, as the shared currency of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Finland, Ireland and Luxembourg.