“The system works much the same way as the Oyster Card does. When you board a bus or enter the underground you hold your contactless debit card to the reader. The relevant fair is then deducted from your bank account.

“There are great benefits to this system—especially if it was to be introduced in Dublin. The biggest plus is that commuters would not need to worry about topping up their Leap Card. It is much more convenient.

“In recent years it has become much more expensive to pay with cash on transport services across Dublin—in a campaign to get people to you use a Leap Card. This system would mean that those who don't use public transport all that regularly and do not have a Leap Card can easily benefit when it comes to paying for public transport. It also allows tourists to benefit.

“There is also a growing trend whereby shops are imposing a surcharge on Leap Card top-ups. The contactless system will prevent this.

“The Leap Card has been a great success. In order to make public transport more attractive and convenient we need to change with the times. The Oyster Card was introduced in 2003 and the Leap Card in 2011. Let's not wait another eight years to introduce contactless payments.”