Mr. Neil McDonnell:

First, I do not represent the banks. We were surprised to see the number of our own members that had not engaged with the banks. To be absolutely fair, significant numbers of SMEs have not done so despite us telling them to engage with their bank. There also seems to be a capacity issue, especially when it comes to SBCI funding. The SBCI is clearing the release of funds but there appears to be a capacity issue with lending within the banks; I understand there are portfolio issues and all of that sort of thing. It is not a really black and white "the banks are bad" sort of thing here. There are clear capacity issues. We have run out of road inside the pillar banks and the SBCI needs more routes to market.