Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will pick on something Deputy Boyd Barrett. Mr. Prasifka described what a product is and it could be an insurance policy. I have encountered cases where people thought they had bought life assurance but after a spouse died they learned that exclusion clauses may mean one type of heart condition is covered and another is not. I am confident that these people were not aware of the distinctions and that they were not explained. People must disclose treatments and conditions when taking out policies but, assuming this is done correctly, do many people make complaints about unfair exclusion clauses in life assurance policies? Has the Financial Services Ombudsman had success overturning decisions by life assurance companies not to indemnify on the death of a spouse?

Motor insurance is a topical issue, unfortunately, in my county of Mayo and the same applies elsewhere in the country. Hundreds of cars have been destroyed in Mayo due to petrol stretching and contaminated petrol and I understand that third party, fire and theft insurance does not cover such damage. However, a number of affected people with comprehensive insurance have brought to my attention the fact that insurance companies have been slow to indemnify in such circumstances, though an assessor may be sent quickly. Has the Financial Services Ombudsman had complaints in this regard or relating to diesel laundering, though the latter may have less influence on the operation of a vehicle?

I have received many complaints relating to the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA. I know the transactions involved are substantial and the people involved may not have recourse to the Financial Services Ombudsman but can Mr. Prasifka envisage his office taking a role in such complaints? NAMA is all-powerful and it is touting for joint venture and loans business in the area of development so I wonder whether it could fall under the remit of the Financial Services Ombudsman. I would be relieved if the Financial Services Ombudsman could deal with NAMA. What is Mr. Prasifka's view on this? NAMA is expanding its remit and giving money for development.