The European Commission published details of national euro changeover schedules and plans yesterday. The Irish plan provides for:

Early distribution of cash to retailers: Notes - mid-November, 2001; coins, earlier.

Early distribution of cash to public: Not planned

Free of charge exchange by banks: Up to overall total of £500 per individual.

Denomination of notes at ATMs: €10 and €20 predominantly.

End legal tender: Midnight, Saturday, February 9th.

Exchange at banks after legal tender ended: not decided.

Exchange at central bank after legal tender ended: Indefinitely.