There is a members thread
http://www.railusers.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=6986 mainly since a group of RUI members are part of the smartcard trial project, but we are involved in the epurse trials. I have one of the first epurse cards on my desk.
Part of the project is to go to all large taxsaver customers and replace all rail only Dublin short hop tickets ASAP. If you request a replacement today due to it not working the gates it will be a smartcard as well.
Goal is
1. Eliminate the gate problems due damaged tickets
2. Address the cost of replacement if lost/stolen
The card comes with a plastic case and lanyard and it will take serious abuse. If a ticket is flagged as stolen it will be blocked on the system and if it shows up again revenue protection can deal with the thief