Sir, – The “Record surge in contactless transactions as consumers flock back to retail” (Business, March 27th) is impressive.
However, there was a triumphalist tone to the report, as it sets out the factors leading to this surge. Absent was any recognition of the fact that compulsion contributes to this “surge” – the fact that a number of businesses, and even public institutions, discriminate against a section of the population by refusing cash, thus removing choice.
Action is long overdue to address this discrimination. – Yours, etc,
DES CURLEY,
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Boyle,
Co Roscommon.
Sir, – The increasing use of contactless payments, as was recently revealed, will undoubtedly lead to an increase in personal indebtedness. With €50 in your pocket you know how much you can spend but with a card it’s all too easy, especially with a large number of relatively small transactions, to amass an unexpectedly high, and possibly unmanageable, debt. – Yours, etc,
SWITHUN GOODBODY,
Cappaghglass,
Co Cork.
