27 April 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Chris O’ Leary has this morning welcomed the winning by Cork of another major international award last night. The win came at the prestigious Contactless and Mobile Annual Awards in London, where other category winners came from Poland, Great Britain, Turkey and beyond. The award was won for the Cork Cashes Out project, an initiative of the Cork City Forum involving a collaboration between businesses, business groups, Garda Siochána and Cork City Council in the promotion of contactless payments.
“I am delighted to see Cork winning this Award,” said the Lord Mayor. “Cork is driving forward and the progress is there for all to see. Last week’s launch of CORE, the City Centre Strategy, demonstrates that partnership and collaboration are at the heart of our momentum. This latest award is an international recognition that this approach is working.”
Cork has been at the forefront in embracing contactless payments, and the Forum has been active in promoting its benefits for both business and the citizen – contactless card transactions are both cheaper and more convenient. The Lord Mayor was anxious to stress the safety aspect of cashless commerce.
“Cork won the Purple Flag last year, as an endorsement of the safety and health of the night-time economy. With Cork Cashes Out, not having to carry cash has obvious benefits in reducing the opportunity for crime,” said Councillor O’ Leary.
“ Cork is also actively engaged in the European Smart Cities and Communities Programme, which focuses on using technology in the provision of services to the citizen and improving quality of life. Cork Cashes Out is further evidence of the City’s planning and foresight”, concluded the Lord Mayor.
