Mr. Bernard Byrne:

The average small and medium-sized enterprise, SME, loan we have is €22,000, a low level. In order to reach the Government’s €3.5 billion lending target for SMEs at such an average one needs 170,000 loans, or the entire SME sector taking out a brand new loan, which is simply not viable. We know we need to get better in approving business loans. SMEs should appeal a decision to refuse credit and put it in writing. That is the only way we and the Credit Review Office can examine it.

Mr. Duffy spoke about the unit established to deal with distressed customers. We are going through an upskilling process in this regard.