I will raise an issue that affects thousands of people in this country but, in my opinion, does not get the attention it deserves. That is the shockingly poor return Irish people are getting on their savings in Irish banks. On top of that is the fact that inflation is also having a negative effect on the few pound people have put away for the rainy day or to help them in their retirement. A recent report highlighted that and showed how over the last ten years the purchasing power of the savings people have has decreased by something like 21%, which is shocking. That clearly illustrates that a programme of education is required in this country in relation to savings and how best to make a return for those people who have been disciplined and managed to put a few pound away for that rainy day.

Currently, there is something like €175 billion on deposit. It is quite shocking that €156 billion of that is in what are called demand deposit accounts or current accounts, which earn little or no interest whatsoever. People have worked hard all their lives and have been disciplined to put a few euro away for that rainy day, to help them in retirement or get kids through college or whatever, and clearly the banks need to be doing more for people in this space. There is a responsibility also on Government to have a public awareness campaign to show people how best they can make their money work for them - the hard-earned money they have managed to put away - to make sure it is working to its full potential because it clearly is not. I would welcome if, before the end of the year, we could have the Minister of Finance into the House so we can have a discussion on this very important issue.