All the Irish banks have replaced the old Laser cards with Visa Debit cards. Halifax were first to change over to Visa Debit (they have since pulled out of Ireland ). Then in 2009 Ulster Bank began issuing Visa Debit cards and PTSB soon followed in 2010 . Bank of Ireland joined the switch to Visa in 2012 and finally AIB decided to move it’s 1.4 million Laser card holders over to Visa Debit cards.
All the Laser cards were replaced by 2014 and the Laser Company ceased to operate debit cards on 28th February 2014 .
A Visa Debit card can be used for point-of-sale transactions as well as those online and on the telephone, while also operating as an ATM and a cheque guarantee card.
The main benefit the Visa Debit card has over Laser- is that it can be used much more widely- with acceptance in over 24m locations worldwide and through one of the world’s largest ATM networks. It will remove the need for having a credit card to shop online – which is good news for younger people and many others who just can’t get a credit card.They can now take advantage of the lower prices and better choices available at online shopping sites that deliver to Ireland .
Most banks in Ireland now charge about 20c for every debit card transaction . You can possibly reduce the bank charges you pay by using a Prepaid Debit Card
See more here about Visa Debit Bank Charges