Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy makes a valid point. It is one question to look at how much money is being lent into the real economy and how much is being drawn down but it is entirely separate to look at the credit rating system that surrounds those businesses that have experienced difficult times. If there is an effective blacklisting or negative mark against those businesses that have gone through restructuring, it is a very important issue we must examine.

The Minister of State, Deputy Perry, and the Secretary General of the Department of Finance, has completed seven regional meetings around the country. Those meetings were with stakeholders, the very businesses to which he referred in his speech. A report will be published shortly and the issue to which he referred in respect of credit ratings was raised at those meetings. If additional action can be taken by Government, we will do that.

I also understand that the Mazars report for the next six months will be also issued shortly. It did the initial work in this area and produced the more relevant data because of the numbers responding to the survey. On the specific issues to which the Deputy referred - the credit rating system - we will have two reports, one from Mazars and one from the Department of Finance, that will consider this question, along with other issues.

I appeal again that where businesses have been refused credit and an opportunity to draw down funds from a bank, the issue should be taken up with the Credit Review Office, which has overturned 60% of decisions that were taken. That shows the Credit Review Office is on the side of the borrower and the person who is attempting to restructure his business and secure investment so the economy will get back on its feet. That message should be highlighted by this House and I thank the Deputy for raising it.

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