Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

——in the call for pay restraint. I ask the Leader of the House to invite the next Minister for Finance to the House to enable us to have a voice on these important matters that will come before the social partners in the next few weeks and months. The outcome of these talks is critical for everyone in this country given the soaring unemployment rates and high inflation.

I wish to raise another financial matter, which also points to a need for the next Minister for Finance to come to this House. I refer to the disturbing report from the Financial Services Ombudsman regarding the sale of financial products to elderly people. Some disgraceful examples are documented in his report published in recent days. Mr. Joe Meade has accused the banks and insurance companies of having a systemic problem with the sale of inappropriate products to older people. He gave some shocking examples of products being sold to elderly people who were not aware of the consequences of buying them. We must register our disgust at what is happening. It is a case of preying on older people. Many concerns have been expressed in this House about the conduct of certain institutions. We need to debate this issue here and to ensure there is better practice.