Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Increasingly lately we hear of the exorbitant fees that are being skimmed off people who have saved for pensions. We are aware of the crisis in the pensions industry but we have learned that the charges can be as much as one third of what hard-pressed people have put aside in pension funds. I read that the Taoiseach referred to that, which I welcome, and that we will have a report on pensions from the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, which will lay bare the hard facts and the rip-off taking place in the pensions industry. I ask the Leader for a debate in this House on the pensions crisis once that report is available. I am aware Senator Barrett took part in a debate on this important subject last Sunday in Kenmare. There is so much concern about the issue it would make a worthy debate to have here as early as possible.