Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A lot of investment in agriculture now; a lot of investment in SMEs also. But as well as that, as we identify new sources of funding, like European Investment Bank money now for SMEs being channelled through the high street banks, AIB and Bank of Ireland. The money provided by EIB is not for construction purposes; it's for growing the economy and it's for the SMEs. So, very often, the authorities from which the funds come dictate the uses to which the funds are put and are adverse to too much funding of construction. Yes, it's improving, but, I mean, I would never say to you that we have completed the work on the banks. It's an ongoing project and, while the economy is stabilising, there's quite a lot to be done yet.