John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Sorry for interrupting. I know that. I am trying to give Dr. Quinn a sense of the urgency that is required in the context of businesses that have to make a decision for today or tomorrow. The discussions that are going on in numerous areas are simply taking too long. Businesses will not be able to withstand the inefficiencies in the Government or its agencies in regard to dealing with these issues.

Earlier today, we heard from IBEC, which seems to have the view, “Open up, see what your problems are and then seek help”. The opposite is actually the case. Businesses plan for tomorrow and they need to have a clear pathway to interest-free loans, to debt write-down and different management of debt, and to grants, but that is not coming from Government. Is it the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation that champions that on behalf of the businesses concerned? ISME told us it was very disappointed with some officials and the Government in regard to the response to what is an emergency and the requirement, not just for immediate answers, but for financial support and direction.