Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Access to Finance for SMEs (Resumed): Credit Review Office and Chambers Ireland

2:35 pm

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the witnesses from Chambers Ireland and the clarification that has been brought to working capital, which is an issue that seems to get lost in the discussion. What are Mr. Murphy's views on competition in the SME market and banking? What proposals would Chambers Ireland make on a new force in banking and different styles of banking?

Reference was made to the low ratio of appeals to the Credit Review Office. Is there a view among businesses that they are afraid to appeal a bank's decision? Is the CRO a bit like the cigire, the school inspector, in that if an appeal is made, the bank will take it out on the business? What can the Credit Review Office do to promote itself? How much would the proposal on late payments cost the State per year?