Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I received correspondence from one family. Without getting into the precise circumstances of her son, a woman told me that over a two-year period the relevant fund had diminished from €510,685 to €280,145. These are precise figures, and that is quite a drop over that period of time. The family - and there are many others - were very alarmed by the drop and very concerned, and they feel helpless in this scenario. They believe there are insufficient protections for these funds. I ask Mr. Quigley to comment on that. These are families who do not necessarily have any interest in the money markets or its vagaries. They simply have to provide for their loved one. They believe there are insufficient checks and balances. They also feel they are entirely locked out of any decisions around investment and report that they find it nearly impossible to get detailed information in respect of investments and returns. That is their experience.