John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)

I have a few questions. I thank Mr. Duggan for coming in and giving us a detailed presentation. There was also a presentation in the audiovisual room this week for Members of the Oireachtas to consult a little more. It is a game-changer scheme, as all members have said. It provides that bit of security for people who have no pension other than the State pension and to have that quality of life going forward.

I think this will be reflected upon in many years' time, to say that the decision made was a good one. I want to say thanks in particular to the Minister, Deputy Calleary, who has been here to discuss this with us and the former Minister, Heather Humphreys, as well. I also acknowledge the last Government, which took the big task on and passed the legislation in July 2024. It is good to see that. In his opening remarks, Mr. Duggan made reference to having that communication and context, when it comes. When people look at their payslips in January and see something going out and something coming in, there will obviously be questions for people. He mentioned in his statement that there will be a phone line and an email address available. This is critically important, because on 1 January there will be lots of questions in relation to it. I know the Department has a very good explanatory document but sometimes that might not be readily available and it is important to have those lines of communication - by phone and online - going.

I know that the UK has had a similar scheme for some years. What engagement did the Department have in reviewing that operational model, per se,compared with the model that is being defined now in the auto-enrolment scheme? Did the Department learn anything from that? Did the Department take any other jurisdictions into account when setting up the auto-enrolment My Future Fund scheme?