Most Europeans are ready for the switch to the euro as their common cash currency - although there are large gaps in their knowledge about the money, recent polls have shown.
The European Commission's influential Eurobarometre polling service says its research shows that 86 per cent of the citizens of the 12 euro-zone countries are aware that notes and coins will enter circulation on January 1st. Another 9 per cent know they will do so in January, without being sure of the day.
Irish respondents are upbeat about the prospects of the new currency aiding economic growth, encouraging price stability and helping to fight unemployment. However, Irish people fare poorly on knowledge of the euro-pound conversion rate.
The recent success of the distribution of sample euro coin kits confirms that public awareness of the currency is high. Other polls show that although the kits have satisfied curiosity, they have not eased apprehensions over the single currency.
A survey of 11,750 Europeans carried out for the Wall Street Journal by Ad Hoc Research Worldwide shows 52 per cent would like to continue using national currencies instead of the euro.
Most polls show that euro- zone citizens fear general price rises accompanying the changeover, with some pointing to a fall in consumption during the first weeks of the new year. Irish respondents are among those most fearful of price gouging during and after the changeover.
But what is most worrying for European Commission officials is ignorance in Europe about how the single currency works. The latest Eurobarometre survey shows that 16 per cent of Europeans do not know they will be able to use the same notes and coins in other euro-zone countries as they do at home.
The ability to use one currency in a market of 304 million people was the driving force behind the single currency.
