John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the credit refusal rate and the discrepancy between what the banks are stating and what Mr. Fielding's survey suggests, would it be helpful to encourage more SME owners to submit a formal application in order to put the banks to the test? It would be easier for us to stand over what Mr. Fielding is saying versus what the banks are stating if there were more data available in this regard. I am conscious that if an SME owner is not hopeful of securing a credit line, he or she will probably not bother to apply for it. However, it would help us to get a better picture of what is happening if the numbers submitting a formal application were higher. That would assist us in putting all of the figures presented, whether by banks or any other business group, to the test.