Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We had a lengthy discussion a few weeks ago with the Minister, Deputy Bruton, about the one-stop-shop on the Internet for information on supports available. There is a real urgency about bringing that on stream.

Senator Quinn spoke about financial support, financial advice and the lack of it. Is there an issue with the quality of financial advice that is tailored to small business? There are many major companies supplying financial advice to large organisations, but what about financial advice for SMEs? Dr. Magennis said that 70% of SMEs do not have a business plan. That is a frightening statistic. It is a surprise that so many SMEs are succeeding and surviving if that many of them do not have a roadmap for where they are heading. Can he comment on that? He also said that 60% consider that late payments represent a cashflow and finance issue for them. Is that right across the island? What do the witnesses consider to be late payments?