CNBC Segment Gets Awkward as Irish Guest Has to Explain Which Currency They Use

A CNBC segment this morning got a bit awkward when IDA Ireland’s Martin Shanahan had to clarify for the benefit of Joe Kernan exactly which currency they use in Ireland. Shanahan was answering a question about the impact of the weaker euro on tourism when Kernan jumped in to ask if Ireland uses pounds.

Shanahan explained they use euros. Kernan asked, “Why would you have euros in Ireland?” And Shanahan answered, “Why wouldn’t we have euros in Ireland?”

Kernan said Ireland should use the pound and asked if Scotland uses Euros too. When Shanahan said Scotland uses pounds sterling while Ireland sticks with the euro, Kernan, even more bewilderedly, asked, “What? Why would you do that?”

Shanahan explained that Ireland is not in the United Kingdom, and Kernan jumped in to ask, “Sort of the same island, isn’t it?” Northern Ireland is still part of the United Kingdom, and then use pounds sterling; the rest of Ireland is not, and they use euros.

Kernan said, “That’s too confusing, Northern Ireland should be the one not using the pound.” And Shanahan replied, “I’m not sure I follow your logic.”

Watch the video below, via CNBC:

[h/t Irish Times]
[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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