John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The representatives of the small businesses - the butcher, baker, candlestick maker and others - have told us at previous meetings that they have approached the Government and met senior officials, and they have impressed on them the urgent need to deliver a package that would have an impact on those businesses and restore them to some form of normality. The representatives' voices, instead of not being listened to, should be heard and championed by many Members of the Oireachtas because we represent them in every corner of our communities.

What I consider to be the kernel of this problem is the fact that the senior Department figures have decided to turn a blind eye to this sector and attempt to force it to trade out of difficulty itself. The same thing is happening here. The proof of it is that while there is a sum of €6 billion available, only €100 million has been drawn down. The scenario is that family businesses are holding on out of pride and by their fingertips to see whether there will be an upturn in the economy. They are expected to trade out of difficulty using a business model that is not compatible with their current position. In other words, a restaurant cannot be filled to its maximum capacity and instead can take in only a certain percentage. That immediately affects turnover. A family business or business with a small number of people is probably carrying debt from the financial crisis. Therefore, we must tackle the day-to-day issues SMEs face. I refer to the boutique owner or shop owner who has seasonal stock worth €1 million that is now out of date and who has to invest in stock for next season, with demands coming from the suppliers. The problems of such businesses have to be addressed. Regardless of whether those affected are serving a pint or driving a bus, the individual sectors have to be addressed. Representatives of the coach operators appeared before us. Their response from the Department on the supports they need was what I suppose could be said to be nil because it did not match the demand they face and requires considerable paperwork.

The banks are not lending. They refuse to give money to the SME sector and we now face the threat of a further wave. Therefore, we are ill prepared going into this because of the financial crash. The Government and Departments are not responding in a tangible way to the SME sector. As a result, they are being hung out to wither on the vine. That is basically what is happening here.

Can Mr. Moran, as a former Secretary General, describe for us the mindset in the Departments that causes this to happen time and again?

We referred to the €6 billion in terms of the commercial rates paid and so on. The commercial rates structure is simply outdated and should be abolished.

If I were a publican who had improved the property, I would have a revaluation. The publican beside me who did no work with the property would not have the revaluation. It is so stacked against the microbusinesses in this country that the Government needs to provide money free of interest and a restructuring of existing debt with a low interest rate of zero to 1%. It must make grants available and easily managed so they can be drawn down quickly and effectively. We need to address in a sectoral way the various businesses we are speaking about. Does the witness agree in any way with that analysis of the current position of the SME sector?