The Minister of State for Commerce, Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy, has launched a new internationally recognised qualification for personal financial advisers in Ireland. The financial planning certificate covers life assurance, mortgages, pensions, savings and investment products and was introduced by the Insurance Institute of Ireland. The certificate tests a financial adviser's expertise in financial services, their understanding of savings, investment and protection products and their ability to carry out a fact finding exercise which correctly identifies a client's personal finance needs. Insurance institute president, Mr Bill Hannan, said customers would gain significantly by having access to competent advice and should feel more confident that the products recommended were appropriate to their needs.