Republican News · Thursday 16 May 2002

ATM in every village

The lack of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in small towns and villages is having a detrimental affect in rural Ireland, according to Cork South West Sinn Féin general election candidate, Cllr Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin. He says Credit Unions and small Post Offices should have the right to install them if the banks will not.

"Over the last few years, the banks have closed down their branches in many small towns and villages," said Ó Súilleabháin. "This has had a very negative impact both socially and economically on these communities, yet the banks have never given those communities any alternative to carry out transactions. In effect, they packed their bags and abandoned them.

"All around West Cork, these villages have looked to tourism, festivals and other seasonal events to bring people into them to generate income for small businesses. However, if visitors run short of cash while in these areas, they have no alternative but to leave and go to one of the larger towns to withdraw money from a bank or more usually, a 'hole in the wall' facility. In many cases, they do not return, but stay on in the bigger lights.

"Local people and small retail outlets are also affected. If people have money, they are more likely to spend it locally, but if they cannot access it in their own place, they are more likely to go to the larger towns to withdraw cash and spend the money there rather than in their own village.

"I believe that at least one ATM should be located in every town and village to serve the people that live in them."