Mr. Pat Farrell:

It is something of a hypothetical case. There are many prominently involved in business in this country who have failed, who are still in business and who have started new enterprises, and that speaks for itself. It is not about the fact that somebody has been in business and has failed. One looks at each business proposition as it comes before one. Sometimes people are all the better for having failed because it is the experience they gain from failure that is perhaps more important than the experience they gain from success. Failure is not an issue. Some of the questions were specific to Mr. Trethowan.

Young entrepreneurs are a specific area that should be targeted. Some of the banks - I stand open to correction - may have funds or resources dedicated to nurturing young entrepreneurs. Businesses age and their owners age with them. One needs to be able to bring a new cohort of young entrepreneurs on track who will start up new enterprises, give new energy and refresh existing enterprises, and bring new ideas and new thoughts. There is a significant cohort of young people who have brilliant business ideas but, as Deputy Áine Collins stated, they need mentoring and support. The banks are actively putting resources into that area at present. It may be there is merit in looking at co-ordinating mentoring activities better. There is probably more than enough mentoring activity around. It is to direct it in the appropriate manner. Young entrepreneurs must be nurtured by banks because the customers of the banks will eventually age and retire, and they must replace them with new customers. It is self-evident that one must encourage young entrepreneurs.