Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

By 2036 we will have more than 1 million people over the age of 65. Given the Government's incompetence lately, it is vital to have a debate early in the new year to discuss policies for caring for the elderly and predicting in advance the impending difficulties that will arise from having such a huge ageing population.

The Government's recent behaviour would not inspire confidence. Until yesterday it was going to force people who were wrongly charged to apply in writing for money which was theirs in the first place. It has seen sense and rowed back on that ridiculous idea. However, we are still very uncertain as to what exactly it is doing——